Virginia Giuffre’s family issues statement after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest

The family of Virginia Giuffre, the woman who first accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual assault, have thanked the police after the ex-prince was arrested.

Andrew was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police from his home in Sandringham this morning.

In an emotional statement, the Ms Giuffre’s family told CBS News: ‘At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.’

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They added: ‘On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation, and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

‘He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.’

Ms Giuffre died by suicide aged 41 at her home in Australia in April last year.

An image of her standing beside then-Prince Andrew has become one of the most notorious to emerge from the files relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

She alleged that Epstein had trafficked her to have sex with the royal when she was underage.

Andrew has denied ever meeting her and has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing. He has also previously suggested the photo is a fake.

In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Ms Giuffre reportedly worth around £12 million, which did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf paid tribute to Ms Giuffre in a post on X following the arrest, saying: ‘Due process matters but so does accountability.

‘For far too long, wealth, titles and status have protected men.

‘It is down to the bravery of Epstein’s victims, like Virginia Giuffre, that there is some scrutiny on those who associated with him.’

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