The world has reacted to the arrest and subsequent release of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested overnight on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He had since been "released under investigation", UK police say.
The arrest of a monarch's brother was an extraordinary development with no precedent in modern times. Here's how the world reacted.
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The brother of Virginia Giuffre commended the King for "the actions he's taken", saying he hoped it marked the start of the collapse of a "house of cards" around late convicted US sex offender Epstein.
Giuffre previously claimed Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times when she was a teenager. Mountbatten-Windsor has vehemently denied the allegations.
The former royal was last on Kiwi soil as the Duke of York in 2007. (Source: 1News)
In an interview with Reuters, Sky Roberts, whose sister took her own life in April, and his wife urged the US Justice Department to take action against others suspected of playing a role in Epstein's crimes.
"I think we're very hopeful that this is the start of the domino effect. This is where the house of cards starts falling. And, kudos to the UK for taking the first step," he said.
Learning of the arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor had brought "a mixed bag of emotions," said Sky's wife Amanda Roberts.
"Initially, we were ... vindicated and screaming, at one point at 3am. And then it just hits you – that gut punch of the fact that she's not here to see this, that we're not able to call her and tell her how astronomically proud we are of her."
'Law must take its course': King Charles III
Andrew's brother, King Charles III, said the "law must take its course" and expressed his "deepest concern" over the arrest.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the monarch said in a statement.
"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. 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."
'It's a very sad thing': Trump
US President Donald Trump has reacted to the arrest and was asked whether others in the US could see a similar fate to Mountbatten-Windsor.
"I'm the expert in a way because I've been totally exonerated so I can speak on it… it's a very sad thing," he said.
"His brother, who is coming to our country very soon, the King… it's a very sad thing."
King Charles was due to travel to the US in April.
Speaking about himself, Trump added he was the one that "can talk about it" because he was "totally exonerated" after the release of the Epstein files.
"I did nothing," he said.
Albanese: 'Bigger issues when it comes to Andrew'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was extraordinary to see a man who once led a life of absolute power and privilege placed under arrest.
"This appears to be about [classified] documents, and whether they were inappropriately forwarded on to someone who wasn't eligible," he told the Guardian's Australian Politics podcast.
"But, of course, there's the bigger issue as well when it comes to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor."
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said Mountbatten-Windsor needed to answer to the courts, but wouldn't be drawn when asked whether it was time to remove him from the line of succession to be Australia's head of state.
"I think the issue you raised is one that will come up over time, I'm sure, but right now, I think the important point to make is that we're all equal before the law," he told reporters in Melbourne.
– with reporting from agencies
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