Ex-Prince Andrew's Accuser's Family Share Their Feelings On His Arrest

The family of the woman who publicly accused ex-Prince Andrew of sexual abuse feels a bit of closure with news of his arrest.

The former Duke of York was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday morning after unmarked police vehicles came to his residence in Berkshire. Information linking him to suspicious activities has been brought to light in the recently released Epstein files. 

Ex-Prince Andrew's accuser's family was at odds over her estate shortly after her death, as she left no will behind. Her case against the disgraced royal won her millions of dollars.

The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who came out with accusations against Jeffrey Epstein and the former Prince for sexual abuse, is thrilled as news of his arrest makes headlines. The news was like music to the ears of her brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts.

They said the arrest feels like a "surreal moment" and a "piece of justice" that Giuffre has been fighting for. Her siblings, in a separate statement, explained that the law taking its course with the Royal blood gives them peace and reignites their faith in the justice system.

"At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty," they said before expressing gratitude for the UK's Thames Valley Police for arresting Andrew. "He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you," Giuffre's siblings added.

TMZ reports that, contrary to what her father believes,  Giuffre died last April by taking her own life, just like Epstein, whom she accused of the heinous acts. He committed suicide in 2019 before his trial. 

Giuffre was among the first people to be publicly vocal about the issue and accuse Epstein of abuse. She claimed that she first met him when she was 16 years old after Ghislaine Maxwell recruited her into his complex sex trafficking ring.

Maxwell was then tried and found guilty on five counts of sex trafficking in 2021. Her charges against Maxwell, Epstein, and Andrew secured payouts totaling tens of millions of dollars.

The Former Duke of York was linked to the sex offender years ago when photos of him on all fours leaning over what appears to be a young woman or girl lying on the floor were seen in the files.  

His association with Epstein, despite his vehement denial of any wrongdoing, ultimately led to his being stripped of his royal titles and status and sent into exile away from the Royal Estate.

Andrew was taken into custody by the police at his residence on his 66th birthday amid searches of the premises. The basis of his arrest is suspicion of misconduct in public office, and more is yet to unfold.

It has been revealed that the disgraced royal shared vital confidential information with his pal, Epstein, while he was a trade envoy. His home in Berkshire, as well as other residences which he owns and controls, are to be accessed by the authorities for the search of relevant evidence.

While he remains in custody, his devices, computer equipment, files, and other relevant documents will also be examined in case they contain any information supporting the allegations. 

The Blast noted that the police force has declared it will keep the public abreast of updates on its investigation.

An actress whose identity remained undisclosed was represented by Perry Wander, who claimed that Andrew dated her in the late 90s and even introduced her to Epstein and Maxwell.

She added that Epstein had behaved inappropriately towards her, and when she complained to the ex-Prince, he shrugged it off, telling her he "wasn't surprised." The Blast shared that the actress was encouraged by Andrew to get close to the sex offender and his recruiter, stating that he trusted them.

Wander speaking on behalf of her client, disclosed that "When she questioned Prince Andrew about whether doing so was safe, he reassured her that he 'trusted Jeffrey and Ghislaine' and that she 'should listen to Jeffrey's counsel and spend time with him and Ghislaine,'" 

The lawyer noted that her client was moved to speak up because of Giuffre's courage, and that Giuffre's death was a greater impetus for the unnamed actress to voice her experience.

Giuffre's death was a heavy loss for her relatives, but the sadness was soon replaced by dispute. The late mom of three left behind property or substantial amounts, with no will specifying how they should be divided legally.

This, in turn, led to a brawl among her family members, each claiming legal rights to assume ownership of her estate. A large part of the properties she accumulated were settlements from her cases against Epstein, Maxwell, and Andrew, from whom she reportedly received at least $ 12 million.

As shared by The Blast,  the sex trafficking survivor was previously paid $500,000 by Epstein in 2009 as part of a settlement over her sex-trafficking and abuse allegations. Later in 2017, she secured an undisclosed payout from Maxwell. Her settlement from the former Prince came later in 2022.