By Isabella Torregiani
11:54am PST, Feb 20, 2026
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Marina Lacerda, an alleged victim of late offender
Jeffrey Epstein, said survivors have been waiting years for this moment. Following the arrest of
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the United Kingdom, she celebrated the news while criticizing the United States, saying, "Everyone's taking action and we are doing nothing."
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"It's amazing and it's really, really something that all the survivors have been looking forward and working towards," Marina Lacerda told CNN, reacting to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest as part of an investigation into "misconduct in office" tied to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
She continued, "And I have to say, Virginia [Giuffre]'s brother and sister must be thrilled right now. You know, I just look at it – it's insane how everyone's taking action and we are doing nothing in the United States. I'm right here in Norway right now — we have [
Princess Mette-Marit] answering to questions [about
her dealings with Epstein], and it's just really sad that the United States is not taking any action."
"But I'm very, very happy that … we're making history here. So this is big," Lacerda concluded.
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Marina Lacerda's comments came after Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a "profound apology" to Norwegians for
her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, with whom she reportedly communicated for three years.
"I also apologize for the situation in which I have placed the Royal House, especially the king and queen," she said in a statement after hundreds of emails between herself and the late financier from between 2011 and 2014 were made public.
"It is important for me to say I am sorry to all those I have disappointed. Some of the content in the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be," she added.
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Although Marina Lacerda has not accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of any wrongdoing, and he was not arrested for crimes of an intimate nature, the late Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre alleged that Epstein had trafficked her to the former prince when she was a minor.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his princely title in 2025, denied the allegations despite reaching a settlement with Giuffre for an undisclosed sum. In April 2025, Giuffre took her own life.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested after emails allegedly showed that he had forwarded classified U.K. trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the nation's special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011.
Following his brother's arrest, King Charles III issued a statement, saying, "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 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."
"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," he continued.
"As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all," he concluded.
