Public discontent with the monarchy resurfaced in Scotland this week as members of the royal family faced further protests, highlighting ongoing criticism surrounding the former Prince Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The demonstration unfolded as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and other royals attended the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on July 1, 2026.
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Gathered outside the historic venue, protesters displayed a series of placards emblazoned with messages such as “Not My King” and “What Did You Know?” These statements appeared to directly reference Prince Andrew and the controversies surrounding his past affiliations. This latest wave of protests follows similar demonstrations during major royal events in recent months, including the Trooping the Colour parade in June and the Commonwealth Day service in March.
During the Commonwealth Day service, reports indicated that Princess Anne had advised her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, to disregard the protesters. Such occurrences have become increasingly familiar as scrutiny over the royal family’s association with Andrew intensifies.
The timing of the protests was notable, coming just a day after Andrew made a rare public appearance at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials, cccompanied by Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Andrew, now 66, reportedly sought to maintain a low profile, avoiding central areas while quietly observing his sister-in-law compete. Observers noted that he appeared determined not to draw attention, with one witness stating, “Andrew sneaked in and sneaked out and definitely didn’t want to be seen.”
Images from the event revealed a notable bruise on Andrew’s cheek, which he had previously been seen with. While this raised queries, sources have indicated that the bruise was not a cause for alarm and may be attributed to medication.
The culmination of public outrage can be traced back to significant actions taken by King Charles in recent years. In October 2025, the King stripped Andrew of his royal titles amid a renewed examination of his connections to Epstein, after the U.S. Department of Justice released extensive evidence that included mentions and photographs of Andrew. Initially losing his military titles and patronages in 2022, the former Duke of York had attempted to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit spearheaded by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, which he later settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Giuffre unfortunately passed away by suicide in April 2025.
Throughout this turmoil, Andrew has consistently denied any misconduct related to his ties to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges. Notably, Andrew’s recent legal troubles escalated when he was arrested on February 19, 2026, on allegations of misconduct in public office, connected to claims that he inappropriately shared information with Epstein during his tenure as a British government envoy.
In light of these developments, the King expressed deep concern following Andrew’s arrest, asserting the necessity for legal proceedings to proceed without interference. His explicit statement seemed designed to distance himself from Andrew’s actions—a sentiment that former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, Ailsa Anderson, echoed when she remarked on the waning reverence for the royal family and the impact of Andrew’s conduct.
Public sentiment within the royal family appears to be evolving, with royal biographer Andrew Lownie suggesting that Prince William advocates for a decisive approach to address Andrew’s situation before assuming the throne. Lownie remarked, “William wants it all cleaned out before he gets [on the throne],” suggesting an urgency for resolution within the monarchy.
As protests continue to arise, it is clear that the royal family may need to navigate the ongoing complexities of public opinion while managing their internal dynamics. The interactions between the monarchy and the public, especially in relation to controversial figures within their ranks, will remain under close scrutiny in the months to come.