The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre has expressed satisfaction following King Charles III’s decision to strip his brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal title and residence. This significant action comes amid increasing scrutiny of Andrew’s financial dealings and his controversial relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. By removing Andrew’s princely title, King Charles aims to address public discontent and protect the monarchy from the fallout of Andrew’s past actions.
For the first time in a century, a British prince has lost his title. Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, relinquishing the title of Duke of York he surrendered earlier in October. He will vacate the opulent Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion near Windsor Castle, where he has resided for over two decades, and will relocate to a more secluded home funded by his brother on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England.
The British government has welcomed the King’s decision. Trade Minister Chris Bryant stated, “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.” This sentiment reflects a broader public opinion against Andrew, who faces renewed allegations and scrutiny over his past conduct.
The palace confirmed that the decision to strip Andrew of his title was made to address serious lapses in judgment, emphasizing their sympathy for the victims of abuse. “These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the palace stated. The royal family expressed that their thoughts remain with survivors of abuse, a statement underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Historically, this action is notable; the last time a British prince was stripped of his title was in 1919, when Prince Ernest Augustus lost his British title for supporting Germany during World War I. Giuffre’s family views the King’s actions as a victory for victims of abuse. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, was embroiled in Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring during her teenage years, claiming exploitation by Andrew and other powerful individuals.
In a statement, Giuffre’s family remarked, “Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.” Her brother, Sky Roberts, called for further investigation into Andrew’s actions, asserting, “He needs to be behind bars, period.”
As Andrew transitions to being an “ordinary member of the public,” Bryant suggested he should travel to the United States to address questions regarding Epstein if called upon. Legal troubles may also await Andrew in Britain, where police are investigating allegations that he instructed a bodyguard to gather damaging information on Giuffre. Additionally, a committee of British MPs is examining how Andrew financed his residence at Royal Lodge, which was leased to him for a nominal annual fee.
Recent revelations have reignited public outrage towards Andrew. Emails released earlier in October indicated that Andrew had maintained contact with Epstein longer than he previously disclosed. This news coincided with the release of Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, in which she alleges an encounter with Andrew when she was 17. While Andrew has consistently denied Giuffre’s accusations, he stepped back from royal duties following a disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC, where he attempted to refute her claims.
In 2022, Andrew reached a multimillion-dollar out-of-court settlement with Giuffre after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. Although he did not admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. The ongoing developments signal the monarchy’s effort to distance itself from controversy while addressing serious allegations against one of its former members.
