5 Biggest Royal Family Scandals Through the Years –

20Feb-2026: The British royal family has long balanced tradition and public duty with intense media scrutiny. Over the decades, several controversies have shaken the monarchy, dominating headlines and reshaping public perception.

Here are five of the most significant royal scandals in modern history.

1. Prince Andrew’s Legal Controversies

Prince Andrew has faced ongoing scrutiny over his associations and legal challenges. Allegations tied to his friendship with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein led to public backlash, the loss of military titles and royal patronages, and a withdrawal from official duties.

The controversy sparked global media attention and prompted the palace to address the matter publicly, marking one of the most damaging crises for the monarchy in recent years.

2. Princess Margaret’s Forbidden Romance

The late Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, made headlines in the 1950s when her relationship with divorced royal equerry Peter Townsend became public.

At the time, strict royal and church rules created significant barriers to their marriage. Ultimately, Margaret ended the relationship — a decision that captivated the public and highlighted tensions between personal happiness and royal duty.

Years later, her marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones and subsequent separation also fueled media fascination.

3. King Charles and Princess Diana’s Marital Turmoil

The marriage of King Charles III (then Prince Charles) and Princess Diana became one of the most publicly scrutinized relationships in modern history.

Rumors of infidelity, explosive interviews and the couple’s eventual divorce played out on a global stage. Diana’s candid 1995 television interview sent shockwaves through the monarchy, while their separation challenged the institution’s carefully curated image.

The aftermath — including Diana’s tragic death in 1997 — remains one of the most emotional chapters in royal history.

4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Exit

In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back as senior working royals — a move widely dubbed “Megxit.”

The couple cited media pressure and personal challenges as factors behind their departure. Their subsequent interviews and projects further deepened divisions among royal watchers and sparked debates about tradition, modernization and privacy.

The unprecedented exit reshaped the monarchy’s structure and public narrative.

5. The Abdication of King Edward VIII

Perhaps the most historic royal scandal involved King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson.

The decision triggered a constitutional crisis and remains the only voluntary abdication of a British monarch in modern history. Edward’s departure cleared the path for his brother, King George VI, and ultimately Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign.

The episode underscored the enduring conflict between love and duty within the royal institution.

A Monarchy Under Constant Scrutiny

From romantic entanglements to constitutional crises and modern media storms, the royal family’s most significant scandals have often mirrored broader societal shifts.

While controversy has at times challenged the monarchy’s reputation, it has also forced adaptation — revealing the delicate balance between personal lives and public expectations in one of the world’s most visible institutions.

FAQs

1. What is considered the biggest royal scandal?
The abdication of King Edward VIII is often cited as the most historic scandal due to its constitutional impact.

2. Why was Princess Margaret’s romance controversial?
Her relationship with a divorced man conflicted with church and royal expectations at the time.

3. What happened with Prince Andrew?
He faced legal and public scrutiny over controversial associations, leading him to step back from royal duties.

4. Why did Prince Harry and Meghan leave royal roles?
They stepped back citing media pressure and personal well-being concerns.

5. Did King Charles and Princess Diana divorce?
Yes, their highly publicized marriage ended in divorce in 1996.