'Our broken hearts have been lifted', say Virginia's family as they applaud Andrew's arrest - and other victims call for more action against Epstein's abusive friends
The family of Virginia Giuffre said their 'broken hearts have been lifted' as they applauded the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor.
The late Ms Giuffre – who was photographed with Andrew as a teenager in 2001 and accused the former prince of sexually assaulting her on three occasions – was also hailed a 'heroine' by sex trafficking victims.
Sky and Amanda Roberts, her brother and sister–in–law, and parents Danny and Lanette Wilson, said: 'At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at 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 for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor.
'He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.'
The Giuffre family has long supported action against individuals linked to Andrew's pal Jeffrey Epstein, who trafficked her for sex when she was just 16.
When Andrew was stripped of his 'prince' title last year, Mr Roberts said: 'This normal girl from a normal family has taken down a prince. We are so proud of her.'
David Boies, Ms Giuffre's former lawyer who brokered the settlement in Virginia's civil case against Andrew, said: 'This is an important step towards justice for Epstein's victims and accountability for their abusers. Hopefully there are many more steps to come.'
Virginia Giuffre with Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Giuffre's family said their 'broken hearts have been lifted' as they applauded the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaving the police station on Thursday evening
His colleague Sigrid McCawley said: 'This is truly a monumental moment in the Epstein survivors' relentless pursuit of justice.
'Virginia Roberts Giuffre worked for years to shine a light on the crimes being committed by Epstein and his co–conspirators and to send the message that no one should be above the law and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor on Thursday is a step toward that accountability.'
Maria Farmer, the first known victim to report Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell to police in 1996, described Ms Giuffre as 'a heroine that took on the royals and won'.
'Today is just the beginning of accountability and justice brought forth by Virginia Giuffre, a young mother who adored her daughter so deeply,' she said.
'She fought the most powerful on earth to protect her. She did this for everyone's daughters. Let's now demand all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.'
Ms Farmer was close friends with Ms Giuffre, who took her own life last year.
She added: 'I know Virginia can feel this, no matter where she is.
'This is epic, it's changing the world. She's a hero. I hope it's the beginning of a much larger takedown. This is a real–life story of a heroine that took on the royals and won.'
Another Epstein victim, Marijke Chartouni, said: 'It's encouraging to see British authorities taking such decisive action. But how much pain could have been avoided had the Justice Department acted and shared this information years ago?'
US politician Suhas Subramanyam, who has previously called for Andrew to be questioned on oath by the US Oversight Committee, said: 'He [Andrew] appears repeatedly in the documents we have uncovered as having knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and is specifically named by victims as someone who engaged in wrongdoing.
Sky and Amanda Roberts (pictured), Ms Giuffre's brother and sister–in–law said: 'At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty'
The late Ms Giuffre accused the former prince of sexually assaulting her on three occasions. She was also hailed a 'heroine' by sex trafficking victims
'Yet he has continued to ignore our calls to co-operate with the Oversight Committee's investigation. We hope today's arrest will lead to answers and show that there will be accountability even if you hide, regardless of how rich and powerful you are.'
Of Andrew's arrest, which fell on his 66th birthday, royal author and former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown wrote on X: 'Happy birthday, Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor. Finally, accountability for the endlessly protected brother of the king.'
Deputy prime minister David Lammy said 'nobody in this country is above the law' and that the police investigation 'must happen in the usual way'.
But the SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: 'The former prince should have been stripped of his titles and roles as quickly as possible – it was a mistake for the Labour government to delay action.'
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