Virginia Giuffre’s Family Praises Charles For Stripping Andrew’s Titles — But They Want More
King Charles’s historic move against Andrew earns praise from Virginia Giuffre’s family, who said, 'An ordinary girl brought down a prince.'
After being heckled by a fan recently, it looks like King Charles is finally ready to make some tough decisions. The monarch finally took the unprecedented step of removing Andrew’s remaining titles and honors. Along with this, he was also stripped of his princely status and would now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The decision followed mounting pressure from the public over the disgraced royals' ties to Jeffrey Epstein, renewed by his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s memoir Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice. Following the announcement, her family swiftly applauded the King’s firm decision.
In a formal statement, the Palace declared, "His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honors of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor." It continued, "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." While his new residence remains unnamed for now, PEOPLE reports that it will be located on Charles’s Sandringham estate. Sarah Ferguson, on the other hand, has been reportedly asked to make her own living arrangements.
Charles’s latest move is the first of its kind in a century and is said to aim at restoring trust in the monarchy. Giuffre’s family also responded to the King’s action with relief and gratitude. “Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” Giuffre’s family said in a statement to The Independent. Her brother, Sky Roberts, demanded more and said, “We need to take it one more step further: he [Andrew] needs to be behind bars, period.” Royal expert Andrew Lownie also noted that there’s a good chance that the royal family may throw Andrew and Ferguson “under the bus” to save what remains of its reputation.
The decision has also drawn support from British officials. Trade Minister Chris Bryant told the BBC, “I warmly support what the King is doing today. I think the vast majority of people in this country will think that it’s the right thing to do.” Buckingham Palace’s statement made clear that the action was necessary "notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." It concluded, “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.”
For many, this move was long overdue. Apparently, palace aides and Prince William were urging the monarch to take a strong stance, including evicting him from Royal Lodge. Considered one of the most remarkable royal homes, the 30-room estate was shared by Andrew and Ferguson despite their 1996 divorce. Several reports also suggested that the two have agreed to put their foot down and move if the 65-year-old gets Frogmore Cottage and Ferguson gets Adelaide Cottage. However, those plans have now been dismissed. Despite Andrew’s ‘cast-iron’ lease, both have been instructed to leave the estate.
