Former Prince Andrew has been subpoenaed to testify in a fraud trial concerning payments of more than £1.5 million

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince and former Duke of York, has been ordered to give evidence before the High Court in London in a fraud trial involving a Turkish businessman. The hearing is scheduled for around 15 December and could take place either in person or via videoconference.

The trial centers on two payments totaling more than £1.5 million, made to Andrew or in connection with him. The hearing could represent the former prince’s first public appearance in court, where he is expected to answer questions about these transactions.

The case was brought by Nebahat Isbilen, a Turkish millionaire, against her former adviser, Selman Turk. Isbilen claims that Turk misled her and used her wealth for personal gain. Among the disputed transactions is a £750,000 payment to Andrew, made in 2019, which Isbilen believed was intended to obtain a passport.

Turk denies the allegations and says that the sum was paid to win Andrew’s goodwill. Another payment, of approximately £768,743, made in January 2020, is described by Turk as a loan to purchase a chalet in Switzerland, a claim disputed by Isbilen.

The judge ruled that Andrew’s testimony may be relevant to the allegations of dishonesty made against Turk. The trial is scheduled to begin toward the end of this month. The summons could make Prince Andrew the first member of the British royal family, from the 19th century to the present day, compelled to give evidence in such a case.