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It has been another series of weeks in which the royals’ open wounds have been made public around the world.
Prince Andrew has been confirmed to be a “person of interest” in a new US investigation into the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Days later, it emerged that a new epilogue to a biography of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex indicated the couple believed the royals had ignored concerns raised during their interview with Oprah Winfrey .
Separately, an untoward development of a different kind for the royal family came on Sunday when a charity founded by Prince Charles announced it was launching an ethical investigation into the ‘cash for access’ allegations – the allegation that middlemen were receiving payments to organize a dinner party between wealthy donors and the future king.
It’s a backdrop that leaves those who often champion the cause of a republic in the UK, confident that they are moving forward slowly, not only in claiming a recent increase in formal support, but also in reaction to an advertising campaign. designed to get people talking about their cause.
A set of billboards deployed by the Republic campaign group is unprecedented in calling for the abolition of the monarchy.
And he achieved one of his desired goals – provoking a reaction – even if that includes at least vandalism. New notice boards, including one depicting Andrew as “Wanted,” are expected to appear in the near future.
But as royal controversies continue to indirectly help the cause, less appreciated and perhaps counterintuitive factors are also pushing new recruits into the Republican fold, most notably television juggernaut The Crown.
Richard Crane, 23, a doctoral student at York University who joined Republic two months ago, credits the series with the start of his ‘demi-monarchist’ journey to someone who actively supports the abolition of the institution.
“It prompted me to do a little more research on their role and the systems in place in other countries like India and Ireland, which made me realize a lot of things”, did he declare.
Another who joined last year, Henry Beach, a 29-year-old conservative Londoner working in marketing, is an example of the campaign going beyond center-left silos, though it remains small.
“My interest was actually piqued when I bought the apartment where I live with my girlfriend,” he said.
“It’s under lease and there is an outspoken owner above, which I find absolutely false. It really sparked the idea that we still live in a feudal system and everything that stems from it. “
Republic CEO Graham Smith says he’s pleased with the impact of the latest campaign and says the winds are starting to turn. And he attributes the fury around Prince Harry and Meghan as a trigger.
“It divides opinions again. I think there are a lot of people who are sympathetic to them and a lot of people who really want them to go away, ”he said.
“But I think a lot of people were quite shocked by the allegations of racism, towards Meghan’s health for example.”
Smith said Republic’s primary focus remains to prepare for the opportunity for royal succession. He said that a potentially much less popular King Charles presented a puzzle for those seeking to preserve the monarchy.
“I don’t think a constitutional crisis will be inevitable, but I think it is a very serious problem,” he said. “We think he will find it very difficult to keep his mouth shut and say nothing on the issues that interest him. I think he’s got a sort of messianic complex way, he feels he’s there to save us from ourselves.
Polls consistently highlight the popularity of the monarchy in the UK. Three in five Britons (61%) still support the monarchy, according to the YouGov poll in May, a slight drop from the previous year. However, the same poll found that 41% of 18-24 year olds say Britain should have an elected head of state, while 31% continue to support the monarchy.
Malcolm Turnbull, the former Australian Prime Minister who led his country’s Republican movement in a failed 1999 poll, points out that it is also a key moment halfway around the world.
“The death or abdication of the Queen will be a historic turning point, and we just cannot be sure what the attitude is on the other side,” he told The Guardian.
“In the UK, the argument has to be egalitarian. In a modern democracy, Republicans will say, every office should be open to every citizen. Why does the taxpayer spend a fortune to keep a family in such incredible size? “
He added: “In the UK I think it’s harder to sell but the message in Australia is still the same and I think the point of view in London among most people and certainly in and around the royal family, is astonishing that Australia is not already a republic.
Turnbull is also convinced that the aura around a new generation of royals will not be enough to save the monarchy in a future poll in Australia.
“There are a lot of people out there who think there is such enthusiasm for young royals and it’s going to overwhelm him, but I think it is confusing enthusiasm for fame with something completely different. “, did he declare.
“Americans are big fans of royal gossip and the glamor that goes with it, but they’re not about to become a member of the British Commonwealth. “
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