Poll Reveals Over 82% of Brits Hold Negative View of Prince Andrew

A recent poll conducted by Ipsos indicates that public sentiment towards Prince Andrew has significantly deteriorated, with over 82% of respondents expressing a negative view of him. This marks a sharp decline from 74% just before he relinquished his royal titles. The survey, which reflects the growing discontent among the British public, also reveals that 51% of participants believe Parliament should formally strip him of his titles.

Following the ongoing scrutiny of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the poll highlights that 88% of those surveyed agree with Andrew’s decision to step back from his royal duties. Although he has announced he will no longer use his titles of Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh, he still retains these titles by law.

In a statement released on behalf of Buckingham Palace, Andrew noted that he has decided to cease using his titles to avoid further distractions from the work of King Charles III and the Royal Family. He stated, “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.” Andrew’s decision comes amid a backdrop of ongoing allegations against him, which he continues to deny.

The Ipsos poll further reveals that Andrew, alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, ranks as one of the least popular members of the Royal Family. Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, emphasized the significance of these findings: “These results underscore a critical moment for the Royal Family in the court of public opinion.”

Despite the turmoil surrounding Andrew, support for the monarchy overall has remained relatively stable. The poll found that only 50% of Brits currently hold a favourable opinion of the Royal Family, a slight decline from 51% last year, according to a survey conducted by the National Centre for Social Research. In comparison, a poll from 1983 indicated that 86% of adults viewed the monarchy as important.

While support for abolishing the monarchy has increased from 3% to 15% over the years, Prince William emerged as the most liked member of the Royal Family in the latest survey, with 69% of respondents expressing a favourable opinion. Catherine, Princess of Wales, followed closely behind at 66%, with Princess Anne at 61% and King Charles at 51%. In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received only 28% and 17% favourable opinions, respectively.

The Ipsos findings reflect a pivotal moment for the British monarchy, particularly as it navigates public perception in the wake of ongoing controversies. The royal family will be closely observing how these sentiments evolve in the coming months.