Palace Announcement on Andrew Seen as 'Vindication' for Giuffre, Says Relatives
The historic declaration from the royal household stripping Prince Andrew of his royal status is regarded as an "recognition" that events happened to the deceased Virginia Giuffre, her family have expressed.
In its announcement on Thursday, the palace said that the Duke of York – under his current designation – will additionally leave his mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, as his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein persist in generating controversy.
Their announcement ended with: “Their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and deepest sympathies are and will continue to be with the victims and those who endured of any and all forms of mistreatment.”
Family Response: Acknowledgment and Justice
Asked whether the statement implied that King Charles trusts Virginia over Andrew, her brother Sky Roberts said: “Absolutely, in my view that he’s speaking distinctly in that statement when he says he’s with those affected out there.
“This is an admission that something occurred, something has happened. We are witnessing a shift,” he added.
A family member, Amanda Roberts, said: “Issuing such recognition out for survivors is huge. We haven’t seen that from other parties, and to acknowledge that there are affected individuals in this situation is an acknowledgment that wrongdoing took place.
“This represents the initial step for that justice for those impacted. It is first the admission that something went on here. There was genuine suffering that happened to these adolescent females.”
In a book published after her death, Giuffre – who passed away earlier this year – reiterated claims that, in her youth, she had sex with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances. The Duke has consistently refuted any misconduct. He resolved a civil case with Giuffre for a estimated £12m with no admission of responsibility.
She characterized the statement by the palace as a “triumph” and “vindication for our sister”.
“We’re just so exceptionally admiring of her, but then the sadness hits because one hopes she was here to experience this occasion together with her – a moment that she has been waiting for, for a considerable period,” she added.
Support Organizations Respond: Powerful Statement for Victims
Women’s rights campaigners and advocacy groups also applauded the move by the royal family, with some saying it sent an vital signal to survivors of assault.
A representative, chief executive of Refuge, said it was “incredibly powerful to see survivors acknowledged so explicitly in a statement from the palace”, adding that it sent a signal that “victims are important, that their ordeals are trusted, and that they merit to be at the heart of public conversations about abuse”.
Penny East, the chief executive at the Fawcett Society, said “this is a welcome recognition that the true sufferers here are not embarrassed politicians or disgraced princes, but the females who were sexually assaulted by entitled, prejudiced men.”
Nonetheless, she added: “Removing a title, or moving house can never be considered true accountability or adequate consequence. Indeed, a courageous individual, Virginia Giuffre, has lost her life. It was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact abuse has on female victims.”
Remembering Virginia Giuffre: A "Resolute Fighter"
Describing Giuffre’s personality and pursuit of truth, Sky said she was a “determined advocate” who could also be playful and goofy.
“Here we have an regular individual from an ordinary family that did something extraordinary and I think that is something the world should be admiring of.
“Giuffre was this strong warrior who stood her ground and spoke out courageously and now we are at last getting that recognition that she indeed represented a world hero.”
Royal officials declined to comment.
