Support for the monarchy has fallen by three percentage points to 45 percent, according to a new poll conducted by Savanta for the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic. The survey, carried out over the weekend before Buckingham Palace commented on the latest allegations, found that 32 percent of respondents would prefer an elected head of state, unchanged from October, while the proportion of undecided voters rose from 20 to 24 percent.
The poll comes as fresh claims emerged from a tranche of three million documents released by the US Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Allegations include that the Duke of York shared confidential reports from his role as UK trade envoy with the convicted sex offender, and that a second woman was sent to the UK for a sexual encounter with him. Andrew has also been accused of asking an exotic dancer for a threesome at Epstein's Florida home.
Buckingham Palace stated on Monday that the King had made his “profound concern” clear regarding the allegations and would “stand ready to support” the police if approached. Thames Valley Police confirmed it was assessing the claims about Andrew sharing trade reports. The Prince and Princess of Wales also addressed the scandal for the first time, expressing they were “deeply concerned” and their thoughts “remain focused on the victims”.
Republic’s chief executive, Graham Smith, who reported Andrew to the police over the trade envoy allegations, said: “The monarchy is losing its one claim to legitimacy, opinion poll ratings. Falling support is unsurprising given the gravity of accusations against Andrew.” He called for a “serious and honest debate” about a post-monarchy Britain, adding that the late Queen was “the one person keeping this creaking institution going”.
The King was heckled during a visit to Lancashire when a man shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?” after his arrival at Clitheroe train station. Andrew has consistently denied allegations by Virginia Giuffre, who died last year, that she was forced to have sex with him three times, including when she was 17. He paid millions to settle her civil case in 2022.
