Hans Kristian Rausing is due for a first appearance in court after being charged with preventing the lawful burial of his American-born wife Eva's body.

Rausing, whose father made billions selling his stake in the Tetra Pak drink carton empire, is scheduled to appear Wednesday at West London Magistrates Court.

Eva Rausing's body was found in the couple's London home on July 9 after police searched the house following her husband's arrest on suspicion of drug possession. British media had reported that Eva Rausing's body lay in the couple's home for days.

Hans Kristian Rausing had been arrested in connection with the death though police say an autopsy failed to determine its cause.

The couple had struggled publicly with drugs while donating millions to anti-addiction charities.