The Duke of York Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre) and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001. Photo: AFP
The family of a woman who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - the UK royal family's former Prince Andrew - say his demotion is a "victory".
King Charles on Friday (NZ time) moved to strip his younger brother of his titles and honours - and force him out of his royal home - over his ties with infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged abuse of then-teenager Virginia Giuffre in the early 2000s.
Andrew has denied Giuffre's claims, which were recently re-aired in her posthumous memoir. In the book, Giuffre - who died in April at 41 - said Andrew believed it was his birthright to have sex with her.
Charles' move reportedly had the backing of heir Prince William and the wider royal family, as well as the UK government.
"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
"Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease [on the Royal Lodge] 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.
"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's family said the move was a "victory".
"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, and sister-in-law, Amanda, said in a statement, BBC News reported.
"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.
"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."
Photo: ABC / Supplied
After issuing the statement, Sky and Robert appeared on BBC's Newsnight.
"It's a bittersweet moment - we feel like its a very vindicating moment for our sister but it's also very surreal," Sky said.
Amanda called it a "moment for her and all survivors", saying she "broke down" on hearing the news about Andrew.
She praised Charles for "setting a precedent for the rest of the world leaders out there to actually come forward and say 'even if it is my brother I'm going to hold him to account, because I believe survivors'".
She said Giuffre would be proud she "took down the bad guys", but there was more to do.
"We have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this, he's still walking around a free man. I commend the King... but we need to take it one step further, he needs to be behind bars."
Maxwell, 63, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Epstein died in prison in 2019 at age 66.
Andrew will remain in the line of succession, Buckingham Palace said, in eighth place. Ahead of him were William, George, Charlotte, Louis, Harry, Archie and Lilibet.
Earlier this month he gave up the title 'Duke of York'.
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