Exclusive:Scots support for the monarchy plummets in wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal

Just 48 per cent of Scots want to see the King remain as head of state, new polling shows.

And 55 per cent of those aged 16 to 34 would prefer to see the end of Charles’s reign in exchange for an elected alternative.

New polling by Diffley Partnership, exclusive to Scotland on Sunday, asked voters their feelings about the royal family.

Mark Diffley, founder and director of Diffley Partnership, said the results would “give some cause for concern” for royal supporters.

He said: “The recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, has again thrown the spotlight on the royal family and the level of support it continues to have with the public.

“Our new poll will give some cause for concern for royal supporters, revealing as it does that fewer than half of Scots - 48 per cent - support the retention of the monarchy and that, among those who express a view, 43 per cent would prefer Britain to have an elected head of state.”

The Highlands and Islands is the most pro-monarchy area of Scotland, with 70 per cent of those with a view preferring the King to an elected head of state.

Those in North East Scotland were the least likely to support the monarchy, at just 54 per cent.

The west of Scotland came just behind at 55 per cent.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the issue puts Scottish Greens and Scottish Conservative at opposite ends of the spectrum.

For those who voted Conservative at the last general and Holyrood elections, some 92 per cent were in favour of keeping the King.

Scottish Greens voters, however, overwhelming want to see the monarchy replaced, with just 27 per cent in favour of the King.

Former Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: “The reality of the monarchy is now clear for all to see.

“We have an outdated, unelected, unaccountable head of state who, along with his extended family, costs the taxpayer £500 million a year.

“In return for that, this royal family has routinely interfered with legislation to benefit their own private financial interests.

“They’ve leaked sensitive information to a convicted paedophile.

“And they funded the legal defence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor against allegations of sexual abuse.”

Mr Harvie said it was “not surprising” that growing numbers are calling for abolition.

“Scotland can and should be a modern European nation with an elected and accountable head of state,” he said.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his title by King Charles in a bid to distance the royal family from growing concerns about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Last month he was arrested in connection with allegations of misconduct in a public office, although the former prince denies any wrongdoing.

Scottish Conservatives MSP Murdo Fraser said: “It is clear Scots still have a huge great deal of love and respect for the monarchy despite the recent scandal involving the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

“The benefits of having a constitutional monarchy over an elected head of state are overwhelming.

“While other parties will undoubtedly pander to republican voters during the election, the Scottish Conservatives will always be robust in our support for the Royal family to remain in place.”

Mr Diffley added that it is “unsurprising” the majority of SNP and Scottish Green voters who express a view would prefer an elected head of state, “it is the views of the youngest cohort of Scots that that will most worry royal supporters”.

He said: “The poll reveals that 55 per cent of those aged 16 to 34 support removing the monarchy in favour of an elected head of state.

“This may reflect broader attitudes of young people as well as a reaction to the recent scandal, but it does suggest a significant challenge to the royal family if it is going to retain relevance for young Scots.”