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

Through its announcement on the specified day, the palace indicated that the Duke of York – under his current designation – 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: “Their majesties wish to make clear that their considerations and utmost sympathies are and will continue to be with the affected individuals and survivors of every forms of abuse.”

Family Response: Acknowledgment and Justice

Questioned whether the statement implied that the monarch trusts Virginia over Andrew, Giuffre's sibling 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 acknowledgment that something occurred, incidents transpired. We are witnessing a change,” he noted.

A family member, Amanda Roberts, said: “To put that acknowledgment out for survivors is significant. We haven’t seen that from other parties, and recognizing that there are survivors in this case is an acknowledgment that wrongdoing did occur.

“It is the initial step for that justice for survivors. Primarily the acknowledgment that events unfolded here. This involved real trauma that happened to these young girls.”

In a posthumous memoir, Giuffre – who died recently – repeated allegations that, as a teenager, she had intimate relations with the prince on multiple instances. The Duke has consistently refuted any misconduct. He settled a civil case with Giuffre for a reported £12m with no admission of liability.

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

“We’re just so exceptionally admiring of her, but then the sorrow 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 very long time,” she added.

Advocacy Groups Respond: Significant Statement for Survivors

Women’s rights advocates and advocacy groups likewise applauded the move by the monarchy, with several saying it conveyed an important message to survivors of assault.

A representative, head of Refuge, stated it was “highly impactful to see victims acknowledged so explicitly in a statement from the palace”, adding that it sent a message that “victims are important, that their ordeals are believed, and that they deserve to be at the heart of national discussions about mistreatment”.

Penny East, the director at the Fawcett Society, said “it is a positive acknowledgment that the real victims here are not embarrassed politicians or fallen royals, but the women and girls who were abused by entitled, misogynistic men.”

Nonetheless, she added: “Stripping a title, or relocating can never be considered genuine responsibility or adequate consequence. Indeed, one brave woman, Virginia Giuffre, has lost her life. This was a terrible tragedy, and a reminder of the deep effect abuse has on female victims.”

Remembering Virginia Giuffre: A "Resolute Fighter"

Portraying Giuffre’s character and fight for justice, Sky said she was a “determined advocate” who could additionally be cheeky and humorous.

“Here we have an ordinary girl from an typical background that did something remarkable and I think this is something the world ought to be admiring of.

“She was this strong warrior who refused to back down and refused to stay silent and now we are finally getting that recognition that she indeed represented a world hero.”

The palace offered no response.