The scandal surrounding Prince Andrew continues to have significant ramifications for the British royal family, particularly among Australian supporters of the monarchy. The prince has faced increasing scrutiny following allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. These allegations have underscored a growing discontent with Andrew, both in the UK and abroad.
A recent memoir by Giuffre, released shortly after Andrew renounced his title of Duke of York, details her claims that she was forced to engage in sexual acts with the prince on three occasions when she was 17 years old. Giuffre, who tragically took her own life in April, was reportedly recruited into Epstein’s alleged trafficking network while working at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in 2000. She expressed fears about becoming a “sex slave” in her memoir.
Despite Andrew’s longstanding denial of any wrongdoing, pressure has mounted on him to relinquish his titles. British politicians have called for a parliamentary debate to formally remove these titles, although the government has rejected such measures. Additionally, questions have arisen about his lease of the Royal Lodge at Windsor Castle, where he lives rent-free but is expected to cover maintenance costs.
Polling conducted by YouGov indicates that only 13 percent of Britons view Andrew positively, and sentiment in Australia appears similarly critical. A survey from a year ago revealed that 67 percent of Australians held a negative opinion of the prince. Nevertheless, support for the monarchy overall remains higher compared to the period leading up to the 1999 Australian republic referendum, which saw nearly 55 percent of Australians vote against becoming a republic.
According to Cindy McCreery, an associate professor of history at the University of Sydney, the implications of this scandal for the royal family are profound. “It’s a very substantial scandal that seems to be getting bigger,” she remarked. While she believes it is still early to determine the long-term effects on public sentiment in Australia, many monarchists maintain their support for the institution.
One Australian monarchist, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed a lifelong admiration for the royal family, sharing her excitement about seeing King Charles and Queen Camilla during their recent tour. “It was so nice seeing the celebration. It’s something you can get quite caught up in,” she said.
In 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew, which concluded with an out-of-court settlement. Although Andrew did not admit liability, he agreed to pay an undisclosed sum. Following his announcement to renounce his title, he reiterated his denial of the allegations.
Critics, including Dennis Altman from La Trobe University, suggest that despite the serious questions surrounding Andrew’s conduct and the use of public funds to support his lifestyle, the monarchy’s status in Australia is unlikely to be significantly harmed. He argued that the scandal does not undermine the institution in the same way previous royal controversies have.
The sentiment towards other members of the royal family remains more favorable, with high levels of support for King Charles, Princess Catherine, and Prince William, according to the same YouGov polling.
The national chair of the Australian Monarchist League, Philip Benwell, emphasized that the public does not blame King Charles for Andrew’s actions. “People don’t cast blame on them and understand the difficult situation they are in,” he stated. Nonetheless, McCreery points out that Andrew’s alleged actions could have lasting effects on how the royal family is perceived.
As discussions about a potential republic gain traction, McCreery noted that if a similar referendum were held today, it might face greater resistance than in 1999, with polling suggesting a defeat of 41 percent to 59 percent. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated that there is currently no significant appetite for another referendum on the matter.
While it remains uncertain whether the scandal surrounding Andrew will reignite calls for a republic in Australia, experts agree that the public perception of the monarchy is evolving. “The Australian republican movement might view this as an opportunity to remind Australians of the disadvantages of our current system,” McCreery said. Ultimately, the ramifications of this scandal may reshape the monarchy’s future in Australia, but for now, many still express their commitment to the constitutional monarchy.
