Virginia Giuffre’s family have released a statement thanking police following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday morning.
The former Duke of York was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was taken into police custody.
In a statement, Ms Giuffre’s family said: “At last, today our broken hearts have been lifted with the news that no one is above the law - not even royalty.
“On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police in their investigation, and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
“He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
Ms Giuffre took her own life in April last year, aged 41. Before her death, Ms Giuffre had alleged she had been trafficked to Andrew by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has consistently denied all wrongdoing.
Ms Giuffre and Andrew reached an out of court settlement, reported to have been worth £12 million in 2022. The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
Andrew’s arrest is not linked to allegations made by Ms Giuffre.
Photographs of Andrew’s arrest first emerged on Thursday morning showing unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Woodfarm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Police have opened an investigation into claims that Andrew shared sensitive information with Epstein whilst serving as the UK’s trade envoy. Specifics of the allegations under investigation are not yet known.
The King has also released a statement since his brother’s arrest expressing his “deepest concern”. The statement went on to read that “the law must take its course.”
