Virginia Giuffre’s family break silence as Andrew stripped of titles | Royal | News
The family of Prince Andrew’s main accuser, Virginia Giuffre, said in a statement that he “declared a victory today” and “brought down a British prince with his integrity and extraordinary courage.”
Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that King Charles has officially stripped his brother of all his titles and evicted him from his home, the Royal Lodge.
The following statement was made to the BBC: “Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her integrity and extraordinary courage.
“Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting to take responsibility for what happened to her and countless survivors like her.
“Today, she declares victory. We, along with her family and surviving sisters, continue Virginia’s fight and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all abusers and enablers associated with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”
This disgraced royal, whose friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein led to his downfall, will have de facto commoner status and be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The monarchy was coming under increasing pressure to resolve issues surrounding Andrew, particularly property arrangements, amid growing calls for him to give up the Royal Lodge after it was revealed he was paying “pepper-hot” rent for his 30-room mansion.
Andrew had brought the royal family into disrepute over his relationship with Epstein and was dogged for many years by allegations that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, who was kidnapped by the financier.
He vehemently denied the allegations.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Her Royal Highness has today begun a formal process to strip Prince Andrew of his style, titles and honours.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. To date, his lease at Royal Lodge has provided him with legal protection to continue his residence.”
“Formal notice has been given to abandon the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary even though he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
“Her Majesty wishes to make it clear that her thoughts and utmost sympathies are with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse and remain with them.”
It is understood the unprecedented move was made by the King due to serious errors of judgment made by his brother, and Charles was supported in his decision by the royal family, including the Prince of Wales, but Andrew did not object.
William was put in an untenable situation when he was ambushed by Andrew during the Duchess of Kent’s final funeral and the disgraced royal attempted to speak to his nephew, who barely recognized him.
Andrew will move to an undisclosed property in Norfolk on the King’s Sandringham estate as soon as possible, the accommodation will be privately financed by the King and the King will make special financial arrangements for his brother.
Sarah Ferguson had been living at Royal Lodge with her ex-husband Andrew but she will not be able to stay at Charles’ home and will need to find a new home.
