Royals Seek to Stop Deluded Man Viewing Wills

Royal lawyers have asked a judge to throw out the claim of a "deluded" Jersey accountant, who claims he is the illegitimate son.

Royal lawyers have asked a judge to throw out the claim of a "deluded" Jersey accountant, who claims he is the illegitimate son of the late Princess Margaret, to see the wills left by her and the Queen Mother.

Robert Brown is seeking an order overturning a Royal exemption, made by Queen Mary in 1911, which prevents the public viewing Royal wills, unlike ordinary ones.

He believes the wills may corroborate his belief that he is Princess Margaret's son.

Lawyers on Tuesday representing the estates of Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother asked Sir Mark Potter, president of the Family Division, to throw out Brown's bid to see the wills without the need for a full trial.

Their counsel, Frank Hinks QC, told the court that Brown had "no standing" to challenge the exemption, under tight rules imposed by the courts to limit the number of potential cases brought to court.

To allow his claim to proceed could lead to a flood of claims from "busybodies, cranks and mischief-makers", he said.

"This week we have Mr Brown, next week we would have Mr White, Mr Green or Mr Pink."

Hinks said Brown's claim should not be allowed to go any further because "he is a man suffering from delusion".

"His assertion that he is the child of Princess Margaret, without any probity of evidence, is scandalous.

"This should be taken into account by the court in deciding whether the case is vexatious, fivolous or an abuse of the process of the court."

Brown said he is seeking to exercise his right as a member of the public to inspect the wills in his search for clues as to his identity.

In a statement released ahead of the hearing, he said: "I have no desire to embarrass the Queen or other members of the Royal Family. I have long sought a response to my questions, but I have now had to seek the assistance of the court. I am simply interested, as anyone would be in my position, to get to the truth of my family history, whatever that might be."

The hearing continues.