Top 10 Scandals in the Royal Family

In 1997, the nation mourned for Diana Princess of Wales, when she was killed in a car crash in Paris. Officially, the blame fell on Diana’s driver - who was reportedly working under the influence of alcohol - and on the pursuing paparazzi. However, there have been plenty of conspiracy theories since, with claims that Diana’s death was somehow orchestrated from inside the Royal Family itself. This entry is mired in speculation only, but the rumours underpinned ongoing ill-feeling toward the Palace at the turn of the century.

Living more like a rock star than a royal, Prince George, Duke of Kent, was actually fifth in line for the throne, as the younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI. Employing a mantra that a lessened chance of becoming King meant less responsibility, Queen Elizabeth’s uncle lived a life of controversy, as a supposed sex and cocaine addict with rumoured Nazi sympathies. He eventually met his end in a plane crash in Scotland, though conspiracy theories again suggest foul play. There may be a pattern forming here...

Taking the crazy uncle stereotype and turning it up to 12, Gary Goldsmith has caused all sorts of problems since Kate Middleton married Prince William. The multi-millionaire has previously been caught offering drugs and prostitutes to undercover news reporters, and he was at the centre of scandal in 2017 when he hit his wife in the face during a drunken fight. It’s an extended family connection The Royals definitely won’t want you to know about.

As covered in series two of “The Crown”, Prince Philip toured on The Britannia, in 1956 - opening the Melbourne Olympic Games and visiting the Antarctic. But, while large parts of the trip were a success, press coverage focussed on Philip’s friend and private secretary, Mike Parker - who was sensationally sued for divorce. With countless rumours circulating of other affairs on the trip, Philip’s own marriage appeared under pressure - prompting a rare statement from the Palace denying a rift between the Queen and the Duke. Not everyone was convinced, though.

Where to begin? In the ‘50s, the proposed marriage between Princess Margaret - the Queen’s younger sister - and Peter Townsend was deemed ‘unthinkable’ - because Townsend was previously divorced. So, that didn’t happen. Instead, Margaret married a photographer - with varying levels of Royal approval - but she reportedly had a string of affairs with high profile figures and celebrities. There were also rumours of a lesbian lover, and occasional drug use. Not forgetting the nudes of her that nearly leaked. She definitely had a wild side!

Another entry for Philip, but what could possibly top rumoured infidelity at the Queen’s expense? How about consistent allegations of racism? Elizabeth’s not so better half has a storied history of making inappropriate comments in public, usually aimed at different nationalities and cultures. Like the time he said the Philippines was half empty because everyone had already moved to the UK. Or, when he asked whether a bearded man was a terrorist. Or, when he said this about some British Students studying in China. We could go on...

There really haven’t been many more serious allegations levelled at the Royal Family than this one - as in 2015 Prince Andrew was accused of having non-consensual sex with a teenager. An American woman made the claim regarding Prince Charles’ younger brother, saying her encounter with him was organised by Andrew’s friend and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein - who’s also said to have links with the likes of Kevin Spacey. The Palace has labelled the story as ‘categorically untrue’, but calls remain for further investigations to be carried out.

Prince Harry’s been responsible for various questionable antics over the years, but none more notorious or memorable than the time he was snapped sporting a Nazi uniform at a fancy dress party. Definitely not the wisest move, especially as his Nan - The Queen herself - was also snapped making a Nazi salute as a child, and her uncle - Edward VIII - was a suspected Nazi sympathiser. All in all, it dwarfs anything else even Harry has done - including naked drinking games in Las Vegas, smoking weed, and filming himself using racially offensive language.

As previously mentioned, Edward VIII was a controversial character in general. But his definitive moment came when he walked away from the Crown, having worn it for less than a year. Edward sensationally abdicated so that he could marry two-time divorcee, the American socialite Wallis Simpson. According to reports, the King wasn’t especially fond of the royal way of life, and when the Church forbade a union with the woman he loved, it was a simple decision to make. It may have been worth it too, as the couple remained happily married as Duke and Duchess of Windsor, until Edward’s death in 1972.

There’s was the wedding of the century, but Charles and Diana’s marriage was far from happy - and their relationship problems were headline news the world over. Most issues surrounded Camilla Parker Bowles - Charles’ first love, who he didn’t have permission to marry back then, because Camilla had been previously married. But Diana was also at the centre of reported extra-marital activity, with James Hewitt - who’s consistently rumoured by conspiracy theorists to be Prince Harry’s biological father! All in, Charles and Diana became a sort of high profile soap opera, with millions watching as scandal surrounded the heir to the throne.