“It just reaffirmed what I already thought, that it’s a corrupt system people blindly trust, especially older generations”

By Sonny Lalor | Mar 3 2026

For many students across London, the arrest of former Prince Andrew in connection with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein did not provoke shock so much as confirmation. Interviews across the University College London campus suggest that the scandal reinforced pre-existing disillusionment towards the monarchy rather than transforming opinion. 

Andrew was arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday, 19 February, on suspicion of “misconduct in public office”. The arrest followed the release of the “Epstein files” by the United States Department of Justice, which allege that Andrew passed confidential trade reports and information to Epstein between 2001-2011. 

For many students, these files only shed light on what they already suspected.

“No it didn't (surprise me)... I don’t like the monarchy, and I don’t know many students who do.” 

The single monarchy has reigned over the United Kingdom since 1603. Today, its power is largely symbolic, yet it continues to receive significant public funding through the Sovereign Grant, which for the year 2025-2026 sat at approximately £132.1 million. This figure is disputed by anti-monarchists, who claimed in 2024 that the true figure was closer to £510m. 

In many students’ view, the arrest aligned with existing perceptions of the monarchy as an institution operating beyond the laws that bind everyone else. 

“They kind of play by their own rules, so you’d expect it”

Many don’t limit the failure solely to Andrew’s actions. Instead, some place blame with the system itself, which they believe shield the monarchy from accountability. 

“It’s (an) institutional (failure), if anyone else had done it it wouldn’t have been handled in the same way” 

This perceived protection of the royals has contributed to a sense of resignation among the upcoming generation, with some students’ expressing powerlessness over their ability to affect change.

“It makes you feel like nothing you do will change anything” 

It is however imperative to note that not all students support a complete abolishment of the monarchy. The intrinsic ties to British culture create a layered, and divisive relationship with the Crown. 

“I think people idolize the monarchy too much… But I like it as a British thing. My grandparents in Poland always talk about it, it wouldn't be the same without it.” 

Where some view the monarchy as a point of pride for British culture lauded and celebrated across the world, others view it as a drain on themselves and the British public. 

“I don’t identify with it at all… it damages national pride and pushes people towards regional pride instead.” 

Student opinion on the monarchy leans more towards resignation than apathy, as many expressed scepticism towards the likelihood of reform, abolition or defunding. 

“(For me) abolition or defunding, I don't think it will ever happen though, they have too much support” 

For many British students, the monarchy is neither revered nor actively contested, it is instead accepted as an institution of near permanence, one widely mistrusted but seemingly immune to any meaningful reform.