Republic vs. Royals: Inside prominent anti-monarchist group’s tireless battle against the royal institution

As the British monarchy continues to reel with a fallout resembling a house of cards, one pressure group’s call for action against the influential establishment has been a resonating presence around the whole thing.

Republic UK, an organisation established for the abolition of monarchy, has worked tirelessly for years — its sights now set at the royal family’s management of Andrew’s ongoing scandal.

“Abolishing the monarchy = a better democracy,” the group had declared on its extremely active X (formerly Twitter) account a day after King Charles’ decision to strip his younger brother’s status as a prince was announced.

Who is the Republic UK?

The abolitionist group was founded in 1983, while it was granted formal status in 2006. The Guardian noted that Republic’s core values argue “that a system where power and patronage is based entirely on a hereditary monarchy is unfair and goes against democracy.”

While the group’s official website states, “Republic campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy and its replacement with a directly elected head of state.”

Describing its motto in even more fundamental terms, the website further reveals, “Our mission statement is simply put: To achieve the abolition of the British monarchy in favour of a democratic republic.”

Republic’s mission against Andrew

Republic UK is presently occupied with seeking a private prosecution against Andrew, the former Duke of York.

Sharing multiple disapproving posts regarding the Crown’s current handling of the matter, the radical group has zeroed in on “crowdfunding a private prosecution of Andrew”.

The link shared by the organisation’s CEO, Graham Smith, leads online users to their webpage, which reveals their aim to be the pursuit of “justice and accountability by bringing a private prosecution against Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (Formerly Prince Andrew).”

While the fundraiser’s eventual target is £50,000, Republic has so far been able to achieve around 30% of it — £15,478.

History of protests

Since the Republic’s objective is to bring down the entire royal establishment, the group does not limit itself to ambushing monarchs alone.

Besides the organisation’s demonstrations at King Charles’ coronation in 2023, and Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee celebrations 2012, it has also protested against future heirs like Prince William, Kate Middleton, and even the non-working royals like Princess Eugenie.

While they have expressed some level of support for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a couple famously at odds with the Firm as well.