Support for the monarchy has fallen to 45% amid the ongoing Epstein scandal, according to a new poll commissioned by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic. The survey by Savanta found that the proportion of the British public in favour of the monarchy dropped three percentage points from 48% over the last four months.
Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the King had made clear his “profound concern” at allegations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct and would “stand ready to support” the police if approached over fresh claims. Thames Valley Police confirmed it was assessing suggestions that the King’s brother shared confidential reports from his role as the UK’s trade envoy with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The new allegations emerged among millions of documents made public by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein. Claims include that a second woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew, and that the former prince and Epstein asked an exotic dancer for a threesome. Andrew denies the allegations.
The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the scandal for the first time, with Kensington Palace saying they were “deeply concerned” at the “continued revelations” and that their thoughts “remain focused on the victims”. The King was heckled in Lancashire when a man shouted “How long have you known about Andrew?” after his arrival at Clitheroe train station.
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 stressed the “urgent need” for a “serious and honest debate” about a post-monarchy Britain.
