Virginia Giuffre‘s family is glad to see justice served.
On Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sending confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 while he was a trade envoy for the UK. If convicted, it carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, per NBC News. Whoa.
Before her death by suicide last year, Virginia had publicly accused Epstein and Andrew of sexual abuse, claims the disgraced former royal always denied (despite agreeing to a sexual assault lawsuit settlement with the alleged victim).
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Now, her family is reacting to his arrest. Speaking to NBC News, her brother Sky Roberts and her sister-in-law Amanda Roberts called the arrest a “surreal moment” and a “piece of justice” that Virginia had been fighting for.
Sky added, “it’s a very proud moment” for the family, but called the charges just the “first step,” noting:
“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.”
He also praised King Charles III for his statement about the investigation, sharing:
“I want to continue to commend the King, because what a hard thing to do, to have to come after your own family member. But I know that what he knows is it’s the right thing to do.”
Amanda added that she feels “overwhelmingly proud” of Virginia:
“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. We just miss her so much and wish that we could call her to just scream on the phone with her.”
We wish she was here, too. It was so shocking how she died.
In a separate statement to CBS News, her siblings Sky and Danny Wilson, plus their spouses Amanda and Lanette, respectively, remarked:
“At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.”
They added:
“On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the U.K.’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.”
It’s a monumental arrest, that’s for sure. As mentioned, Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Epstein.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and would like to learn more about resources, consider checking out https://www.rainn.org/resources.
[Image via MEGA/WENN & 60 Minutes Australia/YouTube]
