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The momentous statement from the royal household removing Prince Andrew of his royal status is regarded as an "acknowledgment" that events occurred to the deceased Virginia Giuffre, relatives have expressed.

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

Their announcement ended with: “The King and Queen wish to make clear that their thoughts and deepest empathy are and will continue to be with the victims and survivors of every forms of abuse.”

Relatives Reaction: Acknowledgment and Accountability

Asked whether the statement suggested that the monarch believes Virginia rather than Andrew, Giuffre's sibling Sky Roberts said: “Absolutely, in my view that he’s speaking distinctly in that announcement when he states he’s with those affected out there.

“It’s an acknowledgment that something occurred, something has happened. We are witnessing a change,” he noted.

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

“It is the initial step for that justice for those impacted. It is first the acknowledgment that something went on here. This involved real trauma that affected these adolescent females.”

Through a posthumous memoir, Giuffre – who died recently – reiterated claims that, as a teenager, she had intimate relations with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances. He has always denied any wrongdoing. He settled a legal dispute with Giuffre for a reported £12m with no admission of responsibility.

Amanda described the statement by the royal family as a “triumph” and “vindication for our sister”.

“We’re just so exceptionally admiring of her, but then the sorrow hits because one hopes she could be present to share this moment together with her – a time that she has been anticipating, for a very long time,” she added.

Advocacy Groups Respond: Significant Message for Victims

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

A representative, chief executive of Refuge, stated it was “highly impactful to see victims acknowledged so directly in a statement from the palace”, noting that it sent a signal that “survivors matter, that their experiences are believed, and that they deserve to be at the heart of national conversations about mistreatment”.

Penny East, the director at the Fawcett Society, commented “this is a positive acknowledgment that the true sufferers here are not discomfited officials or disgraced princes, but the women and girls who were sexually assaulted by entitled, prejudiced men.”

Nonetheless, she added: “Stripping a honor, or relocating can not be viewed as true accountability or adequate consequence. In fact, one brave woman, Virginia Giuffre, has passed away. This was a devastating event, and a reminder of the deep effect abuse has on women and girls.”

Honoring Virginia Giuffre: A "Strong Warrior"

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

“This is an regular individual from an ordinary family that achieved something extraordinary and I think this is something the world ought to be admiring of.

“She was this strong warrior who stood her ground and refused to stay silent and we are at last getting that acknowledgment that she truly was a world hero.”

The palace declined to comment.