This historic statement from the royal household stripping Prince Andrew of his title is regarded as an "recognition" that events happened to the deceased Virginia Giuffre, her family have expressed.
In its announcement on the specified day, the royal establishment said that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor – as he is now known – will also leave his mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, since his connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein continue to cause controversy.
Their announcement ended with: “Their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and deepest sympathies have been and will remain with the affected individuals and those who endured of every forms of abuse.”
Asked whether the statement suggested that the monarch believes Virginia over Andrew, her brother Sky Roberts said: “Without a doubt, I think that he’s speaking very clearly in that announcement when he states he’s with those affected out there.
“It’s an acknowledgment that something occurred, incidents transpired. There has been a change,” he noted.
A family member, Amanda Roberts, commented: “Issuing such recognition out for survivors is significant. We haven’t seen that from other parties, and to acknowledge that there are survivors in this situation is an acknowledgment that wrongdoing took place.
“This represents the initial step for that resolution for those impacted. Primarily the admission that something went on here. This involved genuine suffering that affected these young girls.”
In a book published after her death, Giuffre – who died earlier this year – repeated allegations that, as a teenager, she had intimate relations with the prince on three separate occasions. He has consistently refuted any wrongdoing. He resolved a legal dispute with Giuffre for a reported £12m with no admission of liability.
She described the announcement by the royal family as a “triumph” and “justification on behalf of our sister”.
“We are so exceptionally admiring of her, but then the sadness strikes because one hopes she could be present to experience this occasion together with her – a time that she has been anticipating, for a considerable period,” she continued.
Gender equality advocates and advocacy groups likewise applauded the move by the royal family, with some saying it sent an important message to survivors of abuse.
A representative, chief executive of Refuge, stated it was “highly impactful to see survivors recognised so directly in a announcement from the royal household”, adding that it delivered a signal that “victims are important, that their ordeals are trusted, and that they deserve to be at the center of public discussions about abuse”.
Penny East, the chief executive at the Fawcett Society, said “this is a positive recognition that the real victims here are not embarrassed politicians or fallen royals, but the females who were sexually assaulted by entitled, misogynistic men.”
However, she added: “Stripping a honor, or relocating can never be viewed as true accountability or sufficient punishment. In fact, one brave woman, Virginia Giuffre, has lost her life. This was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact sexual assault has on female victims.”
Portraying Giuffre’s character and fight for justice, Sky expressed she was a “determined advocate” who could also be playful and humorous.
“Here we have an ordinary girl from an typical background that did something remarkable and I think that is something the global community should be proud of.
“She was a tenacious fighter who refused to back down and refused to stay silent and now we are at last receiving that recognition that she truly was a global icon.”
The palace offered no response.
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