Prince Andrew Stripped of Title: Giuffre Family Hails Moment

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, have welcomed the decision to strip the former royal of his title as a historic victory that they describe as “unprecedented in history.” For the family, the removal of Andrew’s title represents not only symbolic justice but a recognition of Giuffre’s courage and persistence in speaking out against one of the most powerful figures in the British monarchy.

Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother, spoke to BBC Newsnight through tears, describing the moment as a vindication for his sister. “This normal girl from a normal family has taken down a prince. We are so proud of her,” he said. Yet while the family celebrated, Roberts was clear that the move alone was insufficient. He emphasized the need for further investigation into Andrew, stating that he “needs to be behind bars,” underlining the continuing sense of injustice they feel despite this landmark decision. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations made against him.

Earlier this year, Giuffre tragically took her own life. The publication of her posthumous memoirs this month, which detailed her experiences, brought renewed scrutiny to the Royal Family and intensified questions surrounding Andrew’s long-standing association with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre’s memoirs allege that Andrew had sexual relations with her multiple times while she was a teenager, asserting that he “believed that having sex with me was his birthright.” These claims, coupled with the settlement Andrew reached in 2022—which contained no admission of liability or apology—have left a lasting impact on public perception of the royal.

Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that King Charles III had initiated a formal process to “remove the style, titles and honours” of Prince Andrew. Following the announcement, Andrew is now formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The move has been interpreted as a significant act by the monarchy to distance itself from controversy and reaffirm its public accountability, though it stops short of legal consequences.

Asked how Giuffre might have reacted to the decision, Sky Roberts said, “She is celebrating from the heavens now saying, ‘I did it.’ She’d be so proud. He’s just Andrew.” His sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, echoed the sentiment, calling it a moment of triumph for all survivors of sexual abuse. “Everything she fought for was not in vain,” she said, recounting her own emotional response upon hearing the news at work.

Despite the family’s sense of victory, they remain adamant that justice is far from complete. Roberts stressed that an independent investigation into Andrew is necessary to fully address the allegations. “We have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this,” he said. “He is still walking around a free man. He needs to be behind bars.”

Earlier this month, Andrew had voluntarily relinquished several royal titles, including the Duke of York, explaining that “we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.” The recent decision to strip him of his title of ‘prince’ follows revelations from 2011 emails, which indicated that Andrew maintained contact with Epstein despite his prior denials.

Giuffre’s family has also highlighted the international dimension of the case, particularly regarding the United States, where there have been growing calls for the release of documents connected to Epstein. Partial records already show Andrew as a passenger on flights with Epstein, underscoring the wider reach of the allegations. “The US government hold the key to the larger scope of the Jeffrey Epstein case,” Roberts said. “The UK is setting an example for what the US should be doing right now. There are many more of them, I promise you.”

The stripping of Andrew’s royal title represents a rare and symbolic victory in a saga that has spanned more than a decade, drawing attention not only to individual accountability but to the broader challenges of addressing sexual abuse allegations against figures of immense social and political influence. While the decision offers a measure of recognition for Giuffre’s courage, her family and advocates maintain that systemic justice and transparency remain paramount.

For many observers, the case highlights the tension between traditional institutions and modern expectations of accountability, especially when issues of power, privilege, and abuse intersect. Giuffre’s memoirs and the subsequent royal response have sparked debate about how societies treat victims and confront allegations against the powerful, raising questions about how much further investigations should extend and how systemic changes can ensure that survivors are heard and justice is served.

As Prince Andrew’s public status changes and the Giuffre family’s call for continued scrutiny persists, this case continues to resonate far beyond the United Kingdom. It underscores not only the personal cost endured by survivors like Giuffre but also the broader implications for governance, accountability, and the rule of law in addressing abuse by high-profile figures.