An anti-monarchist has warned that the Royal Family will be easier to "push over" once the Queen is "out of the way". Graham Smith, the CEO of Republic, a pressure group campaigning for the abolition of the monarchy, pointed to Prince Andrew as a major factor in the downfall. On the Republic podcast, he explained why the Duke of York's Jeffrey Epstein scandal would haunt the royals.

       He told listeners: "The monarchy has always been highly protected well up to the 80s.

       "I mean it still is to some extent, but not to a large one.

       "So for most of the democratic modern era, the Queen's been there, protecting.

       "It seems to me that it's incredible vulnerable because of the damage done by Andrew."

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       Mr Smith claims: "As well as the impact of their poor decisions in regards to Harry and Meghan.

       "Certainly over the last 10 years, a number of times people have said they like the Queen, but can't stand the rest of them.

       "I'd be very rich if I had a pound for every time someone said that.

       "It's not going to fall over just like that."

       The campaigner added: "If they're left to their own devices, they will fix a crisis and cover it up and move on.

       "That's why it's about building the momentum to push it over when the time comes.

       "I think it's going to be a lot easier to push over when the Queen's out of the way."

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       The Duke of York stepped back from public life and royal duties for the “foreseeable future” in 2019 following the backlash to his BBC Panorama interview about his relationship with Epstein.

       Mr Epstein was arrested in 2019 following allegations that he was trafficking underage girls, but died in prison while awaiting trial.

       Prince Andrew maintains that he did not “see, witness or suspect any suspicious behaviour”.

       In a statement, he said he "unequivocally [regretted his] ill-judged association" with the businessman.

       He has also been clear that he is willing to help “any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations if required”.