A significant portion of the British public now supports abolishing the monarchy, with 28% of UK adults favoring an end to the institution, according to a poll featured in a new Channel 4 documentary. This sentiment rises to 38% among individuals aged 18 to 24.
The documentary, titled 'The Royals: Time to Go?', hosted by veteran broadcaster John Humphrys, explores the monarchy's place in modern democracy. The poll, conducted by Survation among over 2,000 people across the UK, also revealed that 44% oppose abolishing the monarchy.
Scandals surrounding Prince Andrew have notably impacted public opinion, with 41% of respondents stating that the Duke of York's controversies have made them less supportive of the Royal Family. Furthermore, 49% believe Buckingham Palace acted too slowly in addressing claims concerning his involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Financial scrutiny is also a key concern. Sixty-four percent of those polled believe King Charles III should be subject to the same income tax as other citizens, while 57% think the King should pay inheritance tax. Nearly half of respondents, 49%, also want the King to publicly disclose details of his private earnings.
The documentary delves into the Sovereign Grant, the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, and the Royal Family's tax arrangements, questioning the public's value for money and advocating for greater financial transparency.
Humphrys, who identifies as a lifelong republican, traces his views back to his childhood. He examines the level of deference towards the monarchy in contemporary Britain and questions whether the institution can be justified in a modern democracy. The poll also indicated that 48% of people support a formal code of conduct for working members of the Royal Family, though only 46% could name more than two of the 11 working royals.
Conversely, some figures defend the monarchy. Former Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt stated that the institution provides stability and a unifying head of state in a polarized political climate, describing the royals as "worth their weight in gold." Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggested that the late Queen Elizabeth II personally accounted for much of the monarchy's popularity, rather than the institution itself, and questioned the fairness of hereditary royal roles.
Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles in 2023 following fresh revelations about his ties to Epstein. He had previously reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault when she was a teenager. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated that commenting on Prince Andrew's situation was not possible due to an ongoing police inquiry, but pointed to the King's "unprecedented actions" and "since accession" and his pledge of "wholehearted support" for a "full, fair and proper process" of investigation. The documentary is set to air on Channel 4.