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This historic declaration from the royal household stripping Prince Andrew of his royal status is seen as an "recognition" that events happened to the deceased Virginia Giuffre, relatives have expressed.

In its statement on Thursday, the royal establishment said that the Duke of York – as he is now known – will additionally leave his mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, as his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein persist in generating controversy.

Their announcement concluded with: “Their majesties aim to emphasize that their thoughts and deepest sympathies are and will continue to be with the victims and survivors of every forms of mistreatment.”

Relatives Response: Acknowledgment and Accountability

Questioned whether this implied that the monarch trusts Virginia rather than Andrew, her brother Sky Roberts remarked: “Absolutely, I think that his words convey very clearly in that announcement when he states he’s with survivors out there.

“It’s an admission that something occurred, incidents transpired. We are witnessing a shift,” he added.

A family member, Amanda Roberts, commented: “Issuing such recognition out for survivors is huge. It's unprecedented that from anyone, and recognizing that there are affected individuals in this case is an acknowledgment that abuse did occur.

“This represents the initial step for that resolution for survivors. It is first the acknowledgment that events unfolded here. There was genuine suffering that affected these adolescent females.”

In a posthumous memoir, Giuffre – who passed away recently – repeated allegations that, as a teenager, she had sex with the prince on multiple instances. He has always denied any misconduct. He resolved a legal dispute with Giuffre for a reported £12m without accepting of liability.

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

“We’re just extremely proud of her, but then the sadness strikes because one hopes she could be present to share this occasion together with her – a time that she has been waiting for, for a considerable period,” she added.

Advocacy Groups Respond: Powerful Statement for Survivors

Women’s rights campaigners and advocacy groups also welcomed the decision by the royal family, with several indicating it conveyed an vital message to survivors of abuse.

A representative, head of Refuge, said it was “highly impactful to see victims acknowledged so directly in a statement from the palace”, noting that it sent a message that “survivors matter, that their experiences are trusted, and that they deserve to be at the heart of national discussions about abuse”.

Penny East, the director at the Fawcett Society, said “it is a positive recognition that the true sufferers here are not discomfited officials or disgraced princes, but the females who were abused by privileged, misogynistic men.”

However, she continued: “Stripping a title, or moving house can never be considered true accountability or sufficient punishment. Indeed, a courageous individual, Virginia Giuffre, has passed away. It was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact sexual assault has on women and girls.”

Honoring Virginia Giuffre: A "Strong Warrior"

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

“Here we have an regular individual from an typical background that achieved something remarkable and I think this is something the global community ought to be proud of.

“Giuffre was a tenacious fighter who refused to back down and spoke out courageously and we are at last receiving that acknowledgment that she truly was a world hero.”

The palace declined to comment.