London – The family of Virginia Giuffre, the late accuser of Prince Andrew, has expressed a sense of vindication following his arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest, carried out by Thames Valley Police, relates to allegations that the former prince shared confidential material while serving as a UK trade envoy with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in Western Australia last year at the age of 41, publicly accused Andrew of sexual assault during her teenage years. While Andrew consistently denied the allegations, he reached a settlement with Giuffre in 2022, reportedly amounting to around $16 million, according to British media reports.
Speaking to 9 News, Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother, described the emotional impact of the news, suggesting his sister would have marked the occasion with a gesture of solidarity towards other survivors. “At this point, I think we have a feeling of vindication,” he said. “She’d be popping open a little cork of champagne right here, and she’d be pouring it out for her survivor sisters, taking a sip and cheersing up and saying ‘hey girls, we’ve got a long way to go here but let’s take this one today’.”
Amanda Roberts, Giuffre’s sister-in-law, recounted the shock and complex emotions experienced upon learning of the arrest. “It was so surreal, we had this spike of joy, celebration, and we couldn’t believe that something was actually happening here,” she said. “It’s been hitting us in waves today, the exhaustion of the situation, but the moments of realising I can’t call my sister. I can’t call her, I can’t tell her how proud I am of her. We can’t tell her how much we love her and that everything she has been doing is not in vain.”
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has captivated international attention for over a decade. Virginia Giuffre first gained prominence in 2011 when a photograph surfaced showing Prince Andrew with his arm around her as a teenager in 2001. She subsequently alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sexual relations with Andrew on multiple occasions.
The allegations against Andrew prompted a period of intense scrutiny and ultimately led to his stepping down from royal duties in 2019. His subsequent interview with BBC Newsnight, in which he claimed he had no recollection of meeting Giuffre, was widely criticised and further fuelled public outrage. The settlement reached in 2022 did not include any admission of guilt from Andrew.
The family’s statement, released shortly after news of the arrest broke, expressed gratitude to the Thames Valley Police for their investigation. “At last,” the statement read, “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 U.K.’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.” The statement was signed by Sky Roberts and his wife Amanda, as well as Danny Wilson and his wife Lanette.
The arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network and the individuals associated with him. Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl
, published last year, detailed her experiences as a victim of sex trafficking and her fight for justice. Her death by suicide was attributed to the lasting trauma of her abuse, with her family describing her as a fierce warrior
in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
While the family has welcomed the arrest as a step towards accountability, they have also expressed frustration with the perceived lack of similar action in the United States. Speaking to CBS News, Amanda Roberts described the situation as shameful
, stating, this is the beginning of the web. This is the thread that we need to continue to pull to uncover the further allegations.
She added, And we’re expecting the same acts to happen here in the United States. And it’s been very shameful to not see that come from our own government.
The arrest of Prince Andrew raises complex questions about the extent of his involvement with Epstein and the potential for further investigations into his conduct. The case is likely to have significant repercussions for the British monarchy and its relationship with the public. The investigation is ongoing, and Andrew has not yet entered a plea.
If you are affected by sexual abuse or trafficking, resources are available. In the UK, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Helpline on 0808 802 9999. In the US, you can contact the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) hotline at 800-656-HOPE.
