The King and Queen’s recognition of victims of abuse in their official statement stripping Andrew of his prince title was “incredibly powerful” according to those working to end violence against women and girls.
The remarks are being seen as their strongest indication of solidarity with survivors yet, with organisations supported by Camilla believing she is likely to have played a significant part in the response.
In a statement shared yesterday, Buckingham Palace said: “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.”
It marks a clear effort to distance themselves from the King’s disgraced brother following revelations about his relationship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and allegations of rape and sexual abuse by Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April.
Andrew strongly denies the allegations.
Leading violence against women and girls, and child abuse charities and campaigners have praised the Palace’s intervention and recognition of victims.
Children’s charity Barnardo’s said: “The expression of support from the King and Queen sends an important message, and we are extremely grateful to the Queen for everything she does to champion children in her capacity as Barnardo’s royal patron.”
Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said: “It’s incredibly powerful to see survivors recognised so directly in a statement from the Palace. When leaders show empathy and make clear that their thoughts are with victims and survivors, it helps to challenge the silence and stigma that too often surround abuse.”
Camilla is an active supporter of Refuge and hosted a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the organisation’s 50th anniversary. Sherrington said the Queen’s acknowledgement “sends an important message: that survivors matter, that their experiences are believed, and that they deserve to be at the heart of national conversations about abuse”.
The Queen during a visit to a maternity unit at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in 2022 that acts as a hub for women experiencing domestic abuse (Photo: PA)Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW), which said its thoughts were with Ms Giuffre’s loved ones, stressed the message was not only important for survivors.
“They also sent an important message to wider society – that even those who are powerful and influential, can and will be held accountable for their actions.
“We know that it is difficult to hold those close to us, especially family members, responsible for their actions, so we particularly welcome the courage and leadership that the King and Queen have shown in relation to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor,” the charity said.
Camilla thought to have played key role
Women’s safety campaigner Jamie Klingler said the statement is a “win” for survivors of abuse.
Ms Klinger told The i Paper she did not think that the Palace’s stance on survivors has always been clear but recent developments marked a “sea change”.
She believes the Queen likely played a significant part in the response.
Camilla has worked to highlight organisations supporting victims of violence against women for over 10 years. She is the patron of several charities that work in this area.
“To call it out and actually say that, I do think it has a lot to do with Camilla’s work with abused women. I think she’s been present – and not just present but actually talking to victims – for so long now, and inviting them to the Palace and hearing their stories, that I can’t not look at it as a sea change, and not feel like it’s a win. And we don’t get many wins. We don’t get many victory laps, and I feel like this is one and this is putting the victims first, putting the victims’ families first. I think it’s a big deal,” Ms Klingler said.
Giuffre’s ‘steadfast courage’ led to these events
Ms Giuffre is not named in the Palace’s statement, but her allegations are inseparable from the downward trajectory the former Duke of York’s reputation and standing within the royal family have taken.
RCEW said her “steadfast courage and incredible clarity has led to these events”.
Ms Klingler said she did not think the omission of Ms Giuffre’s name undermined the impact of the statement and the King’s actions.
“There are women that fight and women that are named and then there’s countless of non-named victims and actually, this is a win for all victims and for everyone that stood up for themselves and everyone that’s gotten out alive. It’s not like it’s not clear who they mean, and her family is taking it as a victory and so am I.”
Rape Crisis England and Wales can be contacted free 24/7 via their support line on 0808 500 2222 or online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/
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