Should Britain abolish the monarchy after the Queen dies? As young people’s support for royalty wanes, the sexual assault case against the Duke of York could be the final straw.
In the dock: 1,200 years of royal history
Should Britain abolish the monarchy after the Queen dies? As young people's support for royalty wanes, the sexual assault case against the Duke of York could be the final straw.
In films, courtroom dramas usually reach a dramatic conclusion. There is a decision. Everyone watching reacts. Journalists scribble down the outcome.
But it was not to be in New York on Tuesday. The hearing left everyone in suspense. The judge said he recognised the "the passion" involved - but refused to make an instant decision on whether the case could go ahead. "Soon" was the most he could promise.
The case is about allegations against Prince Andrew. Virginia Giuffre, who was abused by Jeffrey EpsteinHe was a financier arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. He was denied bail ahead of his trail and died while in jail. His death has been officially ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner, though a pathologist hired by Epstein's brother claims it may have been a murder., claims she was also made to have sex with the his friends - including the prince, whom she is now suing.
Andrew was definitely friendly with Epstein. There is no doubt of this. But the prince claims that a photographIt was taken at a house in London belonging to Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted last week of trafficking young girls for Epstein. showing him with his arm around Giuffre is a fake. "I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady," he told the BBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster. .
There have been 61 English and British monarchs in the last 12 centuriesIn the 9th Century, Egbert became the first king to establish his rule over all of Anglo-Saxon Britain, and many have been involved in scandals. Richard IIIA real English king, the last of the House of York, who is also the subject of a Shakespeare play of the same name. Shakespeare presents him as a villain, partly to satisfy the reigning Tudor House, which had seized power from the Yorkists. was accused of murdering his nephews. Charles II had at least 13 mistresses. Edward VIIBorn in 1841, he was 59 before he succeeded his mother Queen Victoria. was famous for his gambling and womanising.
But some believe this scandal could be fatal to the monarchy. It is the latest in a series of PR disasters.
The Duke and Duchess and Sussex claimed there was racism in the royal household. One of Prince Charles's top aides is accused of selling honours. The Crown reminded the world of Diana, Princess of Wales's miserable marriage. A recent poll found just 31% of 18-to-24-year-olds in favour of the monarchy.
Republicans argue that it is ridiculous for a modern country to have a head of state chosen by an accident of birth. This is the official position of the Green Party in the UK. And many countries, like France, have overthrown monarchies to become republics.
But monarchists - who include Will Young - say a president could be a disaster, and might even turn into a dictator.
Lots of fake news surrounds the royal family: one rumour was that Prince Philip had arranged Diana's death.
What is agreed is that the Queen has put in decadesThis year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years. of hard work, and upheld a stable democracy. Getting rid of the royal family would create big problems for the 14 other nations which have her as their ruler.
Should Britain abolish the monarchy after the Queen dies?
Yes: Its members are out of touch with modern life, and cost taxpayers a fortune. Nobody should be given precedence over the rest just because he or she was born into the right family.
No: Others argue that a president would be no better. Donald Trump has caused dangerous instability in the US. He and Bill Clinton were both friends of Epstein and both have been involved in sex scandals.
Or...? A third view is that the monarchy should continue in a modified form. Only members of the royal family who work hard for the country deserve status and public money, not lesser ones like Andrew.
Keywords
Jeffrey Epstein - He was a financier arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. He was denied bail ahead of his trail and died while in jail. His death has been officially ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner, though a pathologist hired by Epstein's brother claims it may have been a murder.
Photograph - It was taken at a house in London belonging to Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted last week of trafficking young girls for Epstein.
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
12 centuries - In the 9th Century, Egbert became the first king to establish his rule over all of Anglo-Saxon Britain
Richard III - A real English king, the last of the House of York, who is also the subject of a Shakespeare play of the same name. Shakespeare presents him as a villain, partly to satisfy the reigning Tudor House, which had seized power from the Yorkists.
Edward VII - Born in 1841, he was 59 before he succeeded his mother Queen Victoria.
Decades - This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years.
In the dock: 1,200 years of royal history
Glossary
Jeffrey Epstein - He was a financier arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. He was denied bail ahead of his trail and died while in jail. His death has been officially ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner, though a pathologist hired by Epstein's brother claims it may have been a murder.
Photograph - It was taken at a house in London belonging to Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted last week of trafficking young girls for Epstein.
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
12 centuries - In the 9th Century, Egbert became the first king to establish his rule over all of Anglo-Saxon Britain
Richard III - A real English king, the last of the House of York, who is also the subject of a Shakespeare play of the same name. Shakespeare presents him as a villain, partly to satisfy the reigning Tudor House, which had seized power from the Yorkists.
Edward VII - Born in 1841, he was 59 before he succeeded his mother Queen Victoria.
Decades - This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years.