Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the one-time Duke of York, was arrested in the UK on Thursday after facing scrutiny over his ties to late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
News of the arrest first came when the Thames Valley Police Department announced that it had "opened an investigation into an offense of misconduct in public office" and had arrested "a man in his sixties from Norfolk."
King Charles III subsequently released a statement confirming that Mountbatten-Windsor, who is the king's younger brother, had been taken into custody.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," said the king. "What now follows is the full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities."
King Charles emphasized that investigators "have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation," while adding "the law must take its course."
The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old and who died by suicide last year, released a statement expressing relief at the former prince's arrest.
"At last," the family wrote. "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," the family added. "For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."
