// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor called to give evidence in fraud trial in December
Mountbatten-Windsor could face questions about his own financial arrangements
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been served with a summons compelling him to give evidence in a fraud trial in the High Court on or around 15 December, the BBC understands
The witness summons will see him giving evidence and taking questions, in a case in which a wealthy woman alleges she was cheated by her former financial adviser.
Mountbatten-Windsor is not accused of wrongdoing, but he could face difficult questions about his financial arrangements as it is said that he was in receipt of some of the disputed payments, including a transfer to him of £750,000.
His court appearance will be the first public questioning Mountbatten-Windsor has faced since his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019.
It is also believed that Mountbatten-Windsor is the first royal since the 19th Century to be sent such a witness summons.
Such an unusual royal moment is likely to receive widespread media coverage - not least for the opportunity to hear the former Duke of York's first public comments since being stripped of his titles.
Last month, a judge gave permission for Mountbatten-Windsor to be called as a witness.
The summons was issued this week, with the case set to begin from mid-November and with Mountbatten-Windsor to appear as a witness around the 15 December, which is usually in person, but could be on video.
There have been many questions in recent years about Mountbatten-Windsor's personal finances - and challenges about a lack of transparency - and this case promises to give a rare opportunity to hear his own explanations about his financial dealings.