The monarchy should be abolished to free Prince George from the burden of becoming king, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Scotland’s former first minister said it was unfair that the 13-year-old prince had no control over his destiny, and suggested that scrapping the monarchy would be considerate.
Nicola Sturgeon stated her case in a new Channel 4 documentary, The Royals: Time To Go, presented by John Humphrys, an avowed republican.
Ms Sturgeon said she had “huge sympathy” for the Royal Family.
The monarchy should be abolished to free Prince George from the burden of becoming king, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
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GETTY/KENSINGTON PALACE
She continued: “In fact, I would say one of the arguments for getting rid of the monarchy is for the sake of members of the Royal Family, like Prince George, for example.
“That kid doesn’t know any different. He has a certain life ahead of him that he has no choice over. Is that really fair?
“And so I actually think it is one of the arguments for getting rid of the monarchy, to free the future members of the Royal Family from carrying that burden.”
Last week, Prince George was pictured on his first day at Eton, following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales.
Last week, Prince George was pictured on his first day at Eton, following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales.
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GETTY/KENSINGTON PALACE
A survey commissioned by Channel 4 for the documentary, which is broadcast on Tuesday, found that more than one in four people in the UK support abolishing the monarchy.
The Survation poll of more than 2,000 people found that 28 per cent were in favour of abolition of the institution, rising to 38 per cent among 18-24-year-olds.
Some 44 per cent opposed abolition, while the rest were undecided.
The behaviour of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein was a key factor in shaping negative attitudes, the poll suggested.
Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) said the King should be required to pay the same income tax as everyone else (the King does pay income tax, but on a voluntary basis).
While 57 per cent believed he should have to pay inheritance tax, and 49 per cent said he should be required to publish full details of his private earnings.