Virginia Giuffre family reacts to ex-Prince Andrew arrest

The family of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, of sexual assault say their “broken hearts have been lifted” by reports of his arrest less than 10 months since she died by suicide.

“At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” Giuffre’s siblings said in a statement shared with CBS News on Thursday.

Thames Valley Police said Thursday morning that a “man in his sixties from Norfolk has been arrested and remains in police custody” over an investigation into misconduct in public office. Police did not identify Mountbatten-Windsor, who was named by BBC News after photos appeared to show police arrive at his home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.

“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.”

Florida-born Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre alleged she was brought to London to have sex with the former prince in 2001.

Mountbatten-Windsor later reached an out-of-court settlement, for an undisclosed sum, after she filed a civil sexual assault case against him, claiming he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17, allegations he has repeatedly denied. Giuffre died by suicide in April..

A second woman last month alleged she was sent to the U.K. by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. The woman’s attorney, Brad Edwards, told the BBC the encounter occurred at the former prince’s Windsor residence in 2010.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing. Newsweek has contacted Buckingham Palace via email.

This is a breaking story; updates to follow.