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This momentous declaration from Buckingham Palace removing Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his title is seen as an "acknowledgment" that something occurred to the late Virginia Giuffre, relatives have expressed.

Through its statement on Thursday, the palace indicated that the Duke of York – under his current designation – will additionally leave his mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, as his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein persist in generating controversy.

Their announcement ended with: “The King and Queen aim to emphasize that their thoughts and deepest empathy are and will continue to be with the victims and those who endured of every forms of mistreatment.”

Relatives Reaction: Recognition and Justice

Asked whether the statement implied that King Charles believes Virginia over Andrew, Giuffre's sibling Sky Roberts remarked: “Without a doubt, in my view that he’s speaking very clearly in that announcement when he states he’s with those affected out there.

“It’s an acknowledgment that events took place, incidents transpired. There has been a change,” he added.

A family member, Amanda Roberts, commented: “Issuing such recognition out for survivors is huge. We haven’t seen that from anyone, and to acknowledge that there are affected individuals in this situation is an acknowledgment that wrongdoing took place.

“This represents the very first step for that resolution for those impacted. It is first the acknowledgment that events unfolded here. This involved genuine suffering that affected these young girls.”

Through a book published after her death, Giuffre – who passed away earlier this year – reiterated claims that, as a teenager, she had intimate relations with Mountbatten Windsor on three separate occasions. He has always denied any misconduct. He settled a legal dispute with Giuffre for a estimated £12m with no admission of liability.

Amanda described the announcement by the palace as a “victory” and “vindication for our sister”.

“We are extremely proud of her, but then the sadness hits because you wish she was here to experience this moment alongside her – a time that she has been waiting for, for a considerable period,” she added.

Advocacy Groups React: Powerful Statement for Victims

Women’s rights campaigners and advocacy groups likewise welcomed the move by the royal family, with several indicating it sent an important signal to survivors of abuse.

A representative, head of Refuge, said it was “incredibly powerful to see victims acknowledged so explicitly in a statement from the palace”, adding that it delivered a signal that “survivors matter, that their experiences are trusted, and that they merit to be at the heart of public conversations about abuse”.

Penny East, the director at the Fawcett Society, said “this is a welcome acknowledgment that the real victims here are not embarrassed politicians or fallen royals, but the women and girls who were sexually assaulted by privileged, prejudiced men.”

However, she continued: “Removing a honor, or relocating can never be viewed as true accountability or sufficient punishment. In fact, a courageous individual, Virginia Giuffre, has passed away. It was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact abuse has on women and girls.”

Honoring Virginia Giuffre: A "Resolute Fighter"

Portraying Giuffre’s personality and fight for justice, Sky said she was a “strong warrior” who could additionally be playful and humorous.

“Here we have an regular individual from an ordinary family that achieved something extraordinary and in my opinion that is something the world ought to be admiring of.

“Giuffre was a tenacious fighter who stood her ground and refused to stay silent and now we are finally receiving that recognition that she truly was a world hero.”

The palace declined to comment.