London, Nov 01 (V7N)- The British royal family is once again in turmoil following the Prince Andrew sex scandal. The controversy has tarnished the image of the monarchy and revived discussions about the long history of scandals that have plagued Britain’s royal institution. From extramarital affairs to homosexual relationships and abuse of power, such incidents have repeatedly embarrassed the royal household — shaping the nation’s social, political, and cultural narratives across centuries.

Recently, Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal title over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles III subsequently expelled his younger brother from the royal palace, further fueling the controversy.

However, even the reigning monarch is not free from criticism. In 1989, while married to Princess Diana, the then Prince of Wales, Charles, engaged in an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. The release of intimate phone conversations between the two in 1993 sparked a massive media uproar and ultimately led to Charles’s divorce from Diana.

Romantic scandals are not new to the British monarchy. In the 1950s, Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, fell in love with Royal Air Force officer Peter Townsend. When the royal family refused to approve the match, Margaret ended the relationship publicly in 1955, citing her duty to the Crown.

Earlier, in 1936, King Edward VIII made history by abdicating the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American woman — a move that shocked the royal establishment and the Anglican Church.

The royal family’s history of scandal dates back even further. King Edward II (1307–1327) was known for his intimate relationship with court favorite Piers Gaveston, which created intense political conflict and public outrage. When Gaveston was executed by rebel barons, the king suffered a breakdown, plunging his reign into chaos.

Going back to the 10th century, King Edwig, then a teenager, caused outrage during his coronation after being found in a compromising situation with his mother-in-law and her daughter — a scandal that sent shockwaves through the medieval court.

From medieval times to the modern era, the British monarchy’s reputation has repeatedly been tested by the personal choices of its members. While public scrutiny continues to evolve, royal scandals remain a defining part of the institution’s complex legacy.

END/SMA/AJ