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The historic statement from Buckingham Palace stripping Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his title is seen as an "acknowledgment" that events happened to the deceased Virginia Giuffre, her family have stated.

In its statement on Thursday, the palace indicated that the Duke of York – as he is now known – will also leave his residence in Windsor, Royal Lodge, since his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein persist in generating public debate.

Their announcement ended with: “The King and Queen aim to emphasize that their considerations and deepest sympathies have been and will remain with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of mistreatment.”

Relatives Reaction: Acknowledgment and Justice

Asked whether this 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 says he’s with those affected out there.

“It’s an acknowledgment that events took place, something has happened. There has been a shift,” he noted.

A family member, Amanda Roberts, said: “To put that acknowledgment out for survivors is huge. We haven’t seen that from anyone, and recognizing that there are survivors in this case is an affirmation that abuse took place.

“This represents the initial step for that resolution for survivors. It is first the acknowledgment that something went on here. This involved real trauma that affected these young girls.”

Through a posthumous memoir, Giuffre – who passed away recently – repeated allegations that, as a teenager, she had intimate relations with the prince on three separate occasions. He has always denied any misconduct. He settled a civil case with Giuffre for a estimated £12m with no admission of liability.

Amanda characterized the announcement by the royal family as a “victory” and “justification on behalf of our sister”.

“We are extremely admiring of her, but then the sadness strikes because one hopes she was here to share this moment alongside her – a moment that she has been waiting for, for a considerable period,” she continued.

Advocacy Groups React: Significant Statement for Survivors

Women’s rights campaigners and support organizations also welcomed the move by the monarchy, with several saying it conveyed an important signal to those affected of abuse.

A representative, chief executive of Refuge, said it was “highly impactful to see victims recognised so explicitly in a statement from the royal household”, noting that it sent a signal that “survivors matter, that their ordeals are believed, and that they merit to be at the center of public conversations about abuse”.

Penny East, the director at the Fawcett Society, commented “this is a welcome acknowledgment that the true sufferers here are not discomfited officials or disgraced princes, but the females who were sexually assaulted by privileged, misogynistic men.”

Nonetheless, she added: “Removing a honor, or moving house can never be viewed as genuine responsibility or sufficient punishment. Indeed, one brave woman, Virginia Giuffre, has passed away. This was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact abuse has on women and girls.”

Honoring Virginia Giuffre: A "Strong Warrior"

Describing Giuffre’s character and pursuit of truth, Sky expressed she was a “strong warrior” who could also be cheeky and goofy.

“Here we have an ordinary girl from an ordinary family that did something remarkable and in my opinion that is something the world should be admiring of.

“She was this strong warrior who refused to back down and spoke out courageously and now we are at last getting that acknowledgment that she truly was a global icon.”

Royal officials offered no response.