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The momentous statement from Buckingham Palace removing Prince Andrew of his royal status is seen as an "acknowledgment" that events happened to the late Virginia Giuffre, relatives have stated.

In its announcement on Thursday, the palace indicated that the Duke of York – under his current designation – will also vacate his mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, since his connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein persist in generating controversy.

The statement concluded with: “The King and Queen aim to emphasize that their thoughts and deepest sympathies have been and will remain with the affected individuals and those who endured of every forms of mistreatment.”

Relatives Response: Acknowledgment and Accountability

Asked whether the statement suggested that King Charles trusts Virginia rather than Andrew, Giuffre's sibling Sky Roberts said: “Without a doubt, in my view that he’s speaking very clearly in that announcement when he says he’s with those affected out there.

“This is an acknowledgment that events took place, incidents transpired. There has been a change,” he noted.

A family member, Amanda Roberts, said: “Issuing such recognition out for victims is huge. We haven’t seen that from other parties, and recognizing that there are affected individuals in this situation is an acknowledgment that wrongdoing did occur.

“This represents the very first step for that justice for survivors. Primarily the admission that something went on here. This involved real trauma that affected these adolescent females.”

In a posthumous memoir, Giuffre – who died earlier this year – repeated allegations that, in her youth, she had sex with Mountbatten Windsor on three separate occasions. The Duke has consistently refuted any wrongdoing. He resolved a civil case with Giuffre for a estimated £12m without accepting of responsibility.

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

“We’re just so exceptionally proud of her, but then the sorrow strikes because you wish she was here to experience this occasion together with her – a time that she has been anticipating, for a considerable period,” she added.

Support Organizations Respond: Powerful Statement for Survivors

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

A representative, chief executive of Refuge, said it was “incredibly powerful to see victims recognised so directly in a announcement from the royal household”, noting that it delivered a message that “survivors matter, that their experiences are trusted, and that they deserve to be at the heart of public conversations about abuse”.

Another advocate, the director at the Fawcett Society, commented “this is a positive recognition that the true sufferers here are not discomfited officials or disgraced princes, but the women and girls who were abused by entitled, misogynistic men.”

Nonetheless, she added: “Stripping a honor, or moving house can not be viewed as genuine responsibility or sufficient punishment. Indeed, a courageous individual, Virginia Giuffre, has lost her life. It was a terrible tragedy, and a indication of the profound impact sexual assault has on women and girls.”

Remembering Virginia Giuffre: A "Resolute Fighter"

Portraying Giuffre’s character and pursuit of truth, Sky said she was a “strong warrior” who could additionally be playful and humorous.

“This is an regular individual from an ordinary family that achieved something remarkable and I think that is something the global community ought to be admiring of.

“She was this strong warrior who refused to back down and refused to stay silent and now we are at last receiving that acknowledgment that she indeed represented a world hero.”

Royal officials declined to comment.