The decision, handed down on October 23, 2026, means the former Duke of York could be called to give evidence about substantial payments received by him and members of his family. This development places the royal family at the center of a complex legal dispute involving allegations of deception and financial impropriety.
At the heart of the matter is a case brought by Nebahat Isbilen, an elderly Turkish woman who claims she was defrauded by her former adviser, Selman Turk. Mr. Turk, an ex-Goldman Sachs banker, stands accused of misleading Mrs. Isbilen regarding substantial payments made to the royal family in 2019. The case has now taken an unexpected turn with the court's decision to potentially involve Prince Andrew as a witness.
The allegations center on a series of payments totaling over £1.3 million that were directed to various members of the York family. According to court documents, these included £350,000 paid to Prince Andrew himself, £225,000 to the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson), £25,000 to Princess Eugenie, and a substantial £750,000 gift designated for Princess Beatrice's wedding. These payments were arranged by Mr. Turk and have become central to the fraud allegations.
The involvement of the royal family in this legal matter presents a delicate situation.
Mr. Turk's legal team has argued that these payments are relevant to his defense, claiming they were legitimate transactions rather than fraudulent transfers. The judge, Mr. Justice Adam Johnson, acknowledged that Prince Andrew would likely be reluctant to testify, noting that "on the balance of probabilities, had he been asked, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor would have declined to provide a witness statement." Despite this reluctance, the judge determined that fairness required allowing Mr. Turk to present all potentially relevant evidence.
In his ruling, Mr. Justice Johnson emphasized the importance of a comprehensive defense. "Given the seriousness of the allegations, both on their own terms and in light of their wider impact, fairness requires that Mr. Turk should be afforded an opportunity of putting forward his own case, using the evidence he considers relevant and material." This decision effectively clears the way for Prince Andrew to be called as a witness, though it remains to be seen whether he will ultimately testify.
The involvement of the royal family in this legal matter presents a delicate situation. Prince Andrew, who has faced significant public scrutiny in recent years, now finds himself potentially embroiled in a High Court case. The payments in question, while substantial, were reportedly presented as gifts rather than business transactions. The royal family has not yet issued a formal response to the court's decision.
With the judge's ruling, the legal proceedings have entered a new phase. Both sides will now prepare for the possibility of Prince Andrew's testimony, which could provide crucial insights into the nature of the payments and their relationship to the alleged fraud. The case continues to unfold, with implications that extend beyond the immediate parties to potentially impact public perception of the royal family's financial dealings.
As of late October 2026, the case remains active, with preparations underway for what could be a highly contentious legal battle. The prospect of a former senior royal giving evidence in a High Court fraud case underscores the unusual nature of this dispute. While the full extent of Prince Andrew's involvement remains unclear, the court's decision has ensured that his testimony will be part of the proceedings, adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate case.