Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, became overwhelmed with emotion during a television interview as he reacted to the news that Prince Andrew will be stripped of his royal titles.
“It means everything to me. I know it would mean everything to Virginia,” Roberts said through tears in an interview with ITV News that aired Friday, October 31, on Good Morning Britain.
Roberts’ wife and Giuffre’s sister-in-law, Amanda, added, “We wish that we were hugging her right now and laughing with her and celebrating this moment.”
Buckingham Palace said on Thursday, October 30, that King Charles III has begun the “formal” process of removing Andrew’s “style, titles and honors” amid scrutiny over sexual assault allegations and questions about his ties with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Why Was Prince Andrew Stripped of His Titles? What Led to the King’s Move
“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,” the palace said in a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday. “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.”
The statement added, “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 accused Andrew, 65, of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein. Andrew has maintained his innocence and denied the allegations. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, settled a lawsuit against the royal for an undisclosed amount of money in 2022.
Giuffre’s family welcomed the news of Andrew being stripped of his royal titles in a statement to Us on Thursday.
“Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” the family, including Roberts and his wife, 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 continued. “Today, she declares victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia’s battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Giuffre’s former attorney, Sigrid McCawley, said in a statement to Us, “The voice of Virginia Giuffre has changed history.”
“Her bravery, determination and resilient spirit has led to this defining moment,” McCawley added. “As we account for the tipping point significance of the King stripping the title ‘Prince’ from his brother Andrew, it should be a lesson for all to listen, hear and believe survivors of abuse.”
How Will Prince Andrew Make Money After Being Stripped of His Royal Titles?
Before Thursday’s bold move by the king, Andrew announced earlier this month that he would stop using his royal titles after consulting with his older brother.
“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew said. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he added.
