Prince Andrew Served Summons to Testify in Fraud Trial

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has been served with a summons compelling him to give evidence in a fraud trial at the High Court in December. The case centers on allegations that Nebahat Isbilen, a Turkish woman, was defrauded by her former financial advisor, Selman Turk, who is accused of misusing her wealth. Isbilen alleges she was misled into paying £750,000 to Mountbatten-Windsor, believing it was for assistance with a passport, a claim Turk denies, stating the payment was a gift intended to foster goodwill. Court documents reveal a further £768,000 was transferred from Isbilen’s account in January 2020.

The witness summons, an unusual step for a royal since the 19th century, requires Mountbatten-Windsor to appear in court around December 15, either in person or via video link. He is not accused of wrongdoing but was a recipient of some of the disputed funds. The summons was issued this week after a judge granted permission last month. Isbilen’s lawyers contacted Mountbatten-Windsor in 2021, and the money was subsequently returned, but the trial will focus on Turk’s alleged behavior.

The timing of the £750,000 transfer occurred the day after Mountbatten-Windsor recorded a BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, shortly before stepping down from royal duties. This case marks the first public questioning Mountbatten-Windsor has faced since that interview, and is expected to draw significant media attention. The trial is set to begin in mid-November.

What is not yet known

• The full details of the court case and the evidence to be presented beyond the financial transactions remain unknown.
• The extent to which Prince Andrew’s testimony will shed light on the handling of Isbilen’s money is yet to be seen.

Background

• Prince Andrew, Duke of York, stepped down from royal duties in 2019 following scrutiny related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-09].
• The Crown Estate is a collection of land, property and assets belonging to the monarch, and is managed separately from the monarch’s private estate [background knowledge].
• In 2026, King Charles used his private income to cover £1.5 million in repair bills for Royal Lodge, previously occupied by Prince Andrew [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-09].
• Nebahat Isbilen is a Turkish woman who alleges she was defrauded by her financial advisor, Selman Turk [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-22].
• A summons compelling testimony at the High Court is an unusual step for a royal, not seen frequently since the 19th century [Fact Refinery, 2026-11-03].

Our reading

Our reading is that Prince Andrew’s summons to testify represents a significant escalation of scrutiny surrounding his financial dealings. While he is not accused of wrongdoing, the fact that he received funds from a potentially fraudulent scheme, and that a court deems his testimony necessary, suggests a deepening legal and public interest in his affairs. The timing, following a period of reduced public appearances and a financial settlement from his brother, underscores the ongoing repercussions of past controversies.

What to watch

• The details of the evidence presented at the trial, beyond the confirmed financial transactions, to ascertain the full scope of the allegations [stated in article].
• Whether Prince Andrew appears in person or via video link on or around December 15, and the content of his testimony [stated in article].
• Any further legal action taken against other parties involved, such as those who may have facilitated the transfer of funds [stated in article].

Was this useful? 👍 0 👎 0

---

Read the original coverage