How Did the Family of Epstein's Victim Reacted to Prince Andrew's Title Removal?

Virginia Giuffre's family claims victory over the announcement from Buckingham Palace.

The family of Jeffrey Epstein's victim Virginia Giuffre shared an emotional statement after the news came out about one of her alleged abusers, Prince Andrew.

Buckingham Palace broke the news on Thursday, announcing that King Charles III's younger brother, who relinquished his royal duties in 2019 because of his scandalous connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will no longer be allowed to use the titles 'Prince' or the 'Duke of York'. He will also be stripped of the title 'His Royal Highness' on all occasions.

The disgraced royal will be called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The full statement, as reported by BBC, reads:

'His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.'

Giuffre, one of Epstein's first and most vocal accusers, passed away this year at the age of 41. Her accusations received renewed attention after the release of her posthumous memoir 'Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice' on 21 October.

Statement of Giuffre's family

The late victim's family spoke to People to express their thoughts about King Charles' unprecedented move of removing Mountbatten's titles in light of the Epstein scandals.

'Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,' Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, and his wife, Amanda, said.

'Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her,' the statement added. 'Today, she declares victory.'

Giuffre's lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, also said that her late client paved the way for an unexpected move in the history of the British Royal family.

'Her bravery, determination and resilient spirit has led to the defining moment,' the lawyer stated.

Quest for justice continues

Giuffre's brother still believes that removing Andrew's royal titles is not enough to bring justice to all victims.

'We have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this,' Roberts mentioned. 'I mean, he's [Andrew] still walking around a free man. I commend the King, I think he's doing an amazing job as a world leader, setting a precedent, but we need to take it one more step further. He [Andrew] needs to be behind bars, period.'

Giuffre, who took her own life this year, accused Mountbatten of having sex with her three times when she was a teenager. The former royal repeatedly denied her accusations.