Royal Family Faces Critical Support Decline Amid Epstein Allegations
A new survey has delivered a significant blow to the Royal Family, indicating that public support for the monarchy has reached a critical tipping point amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The poll, commissioned by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, reveals that only 45% of the British public now favour the monarchy, a notable drop from 48% recorded just four months earlier.
Fresh Allegations and Police Assessment
The decline in support coincides with Thames Valley Police confirming it is assessing suggestions that Prince Andrew, the King's brother, shared confidential reports from his role as the UK's trade envoy with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These new allegations emerged from a tranche of three million documents made public by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein's activities.
Buckingham Palace issued an unprecedented statement on Monday, revealing that King Charles has expressed his "profound concern" at the allegations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct. The Palace explicitly stated it will "stand ready to support" the police if approached over these fresh claims, marking a significant departure from traditional royal protocol.
Escalating Scandal Details
The scandal has deepened with additional claims that:
- A second woman was allegedly sent to the UK by paedophile Epstein for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew
- The former prince and Epstein reportedly asked an exotic dancer for a threesome at Epstein's Florida home
Prince Andrew has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, but the allegations continue to generate intense public scrutiny and media attention.
Polling Data and Public Sentiment
The latest research by Savanta, conducted over the weekend before the Palace's comments, provides detailed insight into shifting public attitudes:
- Those who would prefer an elected head of state remained steady at 32%
- The proportion of undecided respondents increased from 20% to 24% since October
- The survey questioned more than 2,100 adults about their preference for the UK's future governance structure
This polling follows significant developments in the royal saga, including Prince Andrew agreeing to stop publicly using his royal titles and honours in October 2025, and the King subsequently stripping him of his right to be a prince and removing his dukedom.
Royal Responses and Public Reactions
The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the Epstein scandal for the first time on Monday, with Kensington Palace stating they were "deeply concerned" at the "continued revelations" and that their thoughts "remain focused on the victims."
Public discontent became visibly apparent when King Charles was heckled during a visit to Lancashire. A man shouted "How long have you known about Andrew?" as the monarch arrived at Clitheroe train station, highlighting the scandal's impact on public engagements.
Institutional Concerns and Future Implications
Graham Smith, Republic's chief executive who reported Prince Andrew to Thames Valley Police over the trade envoy allegations, offered a stark assessment: "The monarchy is losing its one claim to legitimacy, opinion poll ratings. The trend across most polling is declining support, and this poll shows how low that support has gone."
Smith emphasised that "falling support is unsurprising given the gravity of accusations against Andrew" and stressed the "urgent need" for a "serious and honest debate" about a post-monarchy Britain. He added that "the monarchy is not going to reverse this trend of falling support" and noted that "even the late queen's legacy is now being tainted by the Andrew scandal."
Recent Developments and Royal Adjustments
In practical terms, Prince Andrew has recently moved out of his Royal Lodge mansion and relocated to Norfolk, taking up residence at a property on the King's Sandringham estate. This relocation represents another adjustment in the royal landscape as the institution navigates the ongoing crisis.
The combination of declining public support, fresh allegations, unprecedented palace statements, and visible public discontent creates a challenging environment for the monarchy as it seeks to maintain its position and public standing during one of the most significant scandals in recent royal history.
