Virginia Giuffre's family speaks out after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest: 'Never a prince'

WASHINGTON, DC: The family of Virginia Giuffre issued a public statement on Thursday, February 19, following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew.

British authorities detained Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an allegation separate from past Epstein claims.

Giuffre, who accused him when she was 17, died in an apparent self-inflicted act last year. Her relatives said that the news of the arrest brought a measure of relief amid years of legal and public scrutiny.

Virginia Giuffre's family responds to arrest

In a statement shared after the arrest, Giuffre’s siblings said that their “broken hearts have been lifted” by the development.

"On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the Thames Valley Police for the investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," the family said. "He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."

The arrest related to allegations of misconduct in public office connected to Mountbatten-Windsor’s former role as a United Kingdom trade envoy, not to the accusations previously made by Giuffre.

In 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Mountbatten-Windsor exploited her when she was 17. He consistently denied any wrongdoing linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from royal duties in 2019 amid controversy surrounding his association with Epstein.

In 2022, he reached a legal settlement with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount, without admitting liability. In an earlier statement relinquishing his Duke of York title, he said, “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Speaking publicly after news of the arrest broke, Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, described waking up to the reports as “surreal.”

“It’s a very proud moment for us,” he said, calling the charges the “first step.” He added, “I think there's so much more that needs to be done here. I'm hoping they conduct a full investigation and there's a conviction of some sort.”

Amanda Roberts said she felt “overwhelmingly proud” of her sister.

“We wish she was here physically to see it, because it is her pressure and her truth that has brought us to this place that has paved the way for all of these survivors to come forward,” she said.

“We just miss her so much and wish that we could call her to just scream on the phone with her,” Roberts added.

Mountbatten-Windsor has not responded to requests for comment following his arrest.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says 'nobody is above the law’

Ahead of the arrest, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the principle of equal application of the law when asked about Mountbatten-Windsor’s situation.

Speaking to the BBC, Starmer said, “Nobody is above the law,” calling the principle “very important” and adding that it “has to apply in this case in the same way it would in any other case.” 

Starmer also said that if Members of Parliament sought a debate regarding Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein, he “wouldn’t stand in the way.”

The arrest followed renewed scrutiny after additional materials connected to Epstein were released by US authorities.

Members of the US Congress previously sought to interview Mountbatten-Windsor in connection with their oversight inquiries, citing records and communications that they said raised questions about his knowledge of Epstein’s activities.