Royal Family Support Holds Strong in New Poll — But Britons Have One Key Demand
Despite the ongoing Andrew-Epstein scandal, overall support for the monarchy is holding steady. However, there is a growing demand from Britons for one specific change.
The British monarchy has received a significant boost in public confidence, even as the institution remains entangled in the fallout from the Andrew-Epstein scandal. A new poll reveals that while Britons believe the Crown is here to stay, they are no longer willing to give the Firm a blank check when it comes to their finances. According to the latest survey conducted by BMG for The iPaper, about 62% of respondents believe the UK will still have a monarchy in the next two decades. Despite the reputation-shattering arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in February over allegations of misconduct in public office, overall support for the institution remains stable at 49%, with only 21% favoring a republic. However, this future also comes with a major demand by the public: more financial transparency.
As per the survey, about 63% of voters—including a majority of traditionally pro-monarchy Conservatives—want royal finances opened to the same level of scrutiny as government spending. The demand follows public anger over how taxpayer-funded positions—including the ex-Duke’s former role as a UK trade envoy—were managed. Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchy group Republic, has argued that such levels of secrecy don't belong in a modern government. “If anyone spends public money, the public have a right to know about it. It’s that simple,” he noted. Highlighting why the popularity of the Firm has dipped massively, he stated, “The monarchy has no place in a modern democracy. It’s running out of road, and the sooner it goes, the better.”
Even those who’ve frequently supported the Crown are calling for reform to protect the institution's public image. Royal author Andrew Lownie argued that transparency is important if the monarchy wants to maintain its relevance. “As a monarchist who wants it to continue, but with continued trust and respect, I welcome greater transparency about royal finances… I also hope they will now be open to more parliamentary scrutiny. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear,” he observed.
While overall support numbers appear steady, pollsters point to a significant gap between age groups. Younger people are increasingly skeptical of the institution, while older generations continue to provide the institution’s strongest backing. Jack Curry of BMG noted that while headlines haven’t triggered a republican revolution yet, they have solidified a ‘growing expectation’ for accountability. This issue has also gained traction in Parliament, with Rachael Maskell—the Labour MP for York Central—calling for a joint committee of MPs and Lords to review royal funding. “The public must know what their hard-earned taxes are being spent on, and it is sickening that a family with so much affluence takes public money when people are struggling to pay the rent, food, and utilities bills,” she told The iPaper.
As King Charles navigates one of the most damning chapters in modern royal history, the message from the public is pretty clear: they are happy to keep the Crown, provided they can see exactly what it’s costing them.
