Royal Family Scandals Through the Years: Love Triangles, Step Downs and More
The British royal family may appear prim and proper to the public, but they’ve faced their fair share of controversies over the years.
One of the biggest royal scandals in recent memory came when King Charles III and the late Princess Diana announced their separation in 1992 after 10 years of marriage. At the time, both Charles and Diana, who shared sons Prince William and Prince Harry, admitted to having extramarital affairs.
“There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” Diana famously said during a November 1995 BBC interview, referring to Charles and his now-wife, Queen Camilla. Less than one year later, Charles and Diana finalized their split.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, also made headlines for his connection to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Amid speculation into their friendship — and sexual assault allegations against Andrew — Buckingham Palace announced in October 2025 that Andrew would be stripped of his royal style, titles and honors amid mounting scrutiny. Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office three months later.
Keep scrolling for a look back at the British royal family’s most scandalous moments.
King Edward VIII Abdicates the Throne
Months into his royal reign in the 1930s, Edward VIII proposed to American divorcée Wallis Simpson — and it didn’t sit well with the government. When he realized that he wouldn’t be able to marry the socialite and continue in his role as king, Edward decided to ditch the throne. He was succeeded by his younger brother George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret’s Controversial Love Life
Elizabeth’s younger sister fell head over heels for a divorced man, Peter Townsend, who was 16 years older than her. Townsend proposed, but the Church of England refused to recognize the potential marriage at the time. Members of the government also weren’t happy with the proposal, forcing Margaret to choose between love and life as a royal. She ultimately turned Townsend down in 1955 and married Antony Armstrong-Jones five years later.
Princess Margaret’s Controversial Love Life
Elizabeth’s younger sister fell head over heels for a divorced man, Peter Townsend, who was 16 years older than her. Townsend proposed, but the Church of England refused to recognize the potential marriage at the time. Members of the government also weren’t happy with the proposal, forcing Margaret to choose between love and life as a royal. She ultimately turned Townsend down in 1955 and married Antony Armstrong-Jones five years later.
Princess Anne’s Attempted Kidnapping
In 1974, driver Ian Ball overtook Anne’s vehicle when she was returning to the palace from a charity event. Wielding two guns, Ball exclaimed that he intended to kidnap the princess and hold her for ransom. She eventually escaped, but not before one of her bodyguards was shot amid the chaos. Ball was arrested and pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping. He was sentenced to life in a high-security psychiatric facility due to his history of mental illness.
Prince Charles’ Love Triangle With Diana and Camilla
The Prince of Wales married Diana in 1981, but things quickly took a turn for the royal couple. Diana was recorded allegedly admitting that she was “deeply in love with someone” who worked in the palace, and Charles later began having an affair with former girlfriend Camilla. In 1992, Charles and Diana officially announced their separation.
Charles’ divorce from Charles was finalized in August 1996, one year before she died in a car crash in Paris at age 36. Charles went on to marry Camilla in 2005.
Prince Harry’s Nazi Armband and Vegas Adventure
The Duke of Sussex was labeled as the rebellious royal before he settled down with Meghan Markle in 2018. He was forced to issue a public apology in 2005 after photos leaked of him wearing a swastika armband at a party. “I am very sorry if I caused any offense or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize,” he said in a statement at the time.
The controversy didn’t stop there. Seven years later, naked pictures emerged from Harry’s Las Vegas getaway, reportedly taken during a strip billiards game. The scandal prompted St James’s Palace to contact the Press Complaints Commission before the snaps made their way to British tabloids.
Princess Anne Fined After Dog Bites Kids
In 2002, the queen’s daughter pleaded guilty to a criminal offense after her dog attacked two children. She was ordered to pay £500 compensation (nearly $700) to the victims, along with a separate £500 fine and £148 in court fees. It was reportedly the first time a senior royal family member had appeared in court in over a century.
Prince Charles Bad-Mouths Reporters
While posing for a photo with his sons at a Swiss ski resort in 2005, Charles was caught slamming a question about his impending wedding to Camilla. “These bloody people. I can’t bear that man. He’s so awful, he really is,” he muttered to Harry and William.
Princess Michael of Kent Wears Racist Brooch
The wife of Prince Michael of Kent sparked controversy after the queen’s 2017 Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace when she was spotted wearing an accessory that could have been seen as a slight toward Meghan, the first high-ranking biracial royal. “Princess Michael is very sorry and distressed that [the brooch] has caused offense,” a spokesperson stated at the time.
It was not her first racially charged incident either. In 2004, the princess allegedly told a group of Black diners in New York City to “go back to the colonies.” She subsequently apologized in an ITV interview, claiming, “To call me racist: it’s a knife through the heart because I really love these people.”
Thomas Markle’s Staged Pap Pics
Shortly before she was due to tie the knot in May 2018, Meghan’s father was caught staging photos with the paparazzi. At the time, an insider told Us that Meghan was “disturbed” and “disappointed” by the stunt. Thomas announced through TMZ five days before his daughter’s wedding that he would no longer attend, claiming he suffered a heart attack. Meghan’s soon-to-be father-in-law, Charles, was the one to walk her down the aisle.
Prince Andrew’s Step Back
The Duke of York found himself at the center of controversy in November 2019 due to his association with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As the scandal continued to raise eyebrows, Andrew announced that he was stepping away from his royal duties “for the foreseeable future.” At the time, Andrew had denied Virginia Roberts‘ claims that she was forced to have sex with him three times between 1999 and 2002, claiming that “it just never happened.”
King Charles ultimately stripped Andrew of his royal title before officials confirmed an investigation into whether Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein while serving as the U.K.’s trade envoy — a role he held between 2001 and 2011.
Andrew was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
Prince William’s Affair Rumors
In 2019, the Duke of Cambridge was accused of having an affair with Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, who was a close friend of his wife, Duchess Kate. At the time, a source exclusively revealed that Kate wasn’t pleased when she caught wind of the “hurtful” rumors. However, the drama ended up changing the couple for the better.
“It forced her and William to sit back and examine their relationship, which they realized they should have been doing more often,” the insider said of the pair, who tied the knot in April 2011. A separate source insisted that William and Kate were “still going strong” and “love each other dearly.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Step Down
Less than two years after their May 2018 royal wedding, the Sussexes announced that after “many months of reflection and internal discussions,” they planned to step down from their senior royal duties. “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” they noted via Instagram at the time. Two months later, they settled down in California with their son, Archie.
The move sparked a major conversation about life within palace walls — but a source revealed in January 2020 that the couple “made their statement without the official blessing of the queen.” In February 2021, it was confirmed that the pair would no longer be working members of the British royal family.
Samantha Markle’s Tell-All Book
Meghan’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, spilled plenty of alleged family secrets in her February 2021 memoir, The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister Part 1.
“There’s a lot to learn — the good, the bad and the ugly,” the writer told Us exclusively more than three years after she announced her book plans. In the first installment, Samantha recalled her half-sibling’s “demanding” attitude as a teenager and last conversation with the former actress, claiming that Meghan “had changed” once she stepped into the royal spotlight.
Meghan Markle’s Alleged Bullying
In March 2021, as Harry and Meghan prepared to tell all in a televised CBS interview, a report from The Times claimed that the Duchess of Sussex mistreated her royal staffers ahead of her January 2020 exit. Allegations even went so far as to accuse Meghan of bringing her aides to tears. At the time, a rep for the California native told Us that “the duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character.”
‘Concerns’ Over Archie’s Skin Tone
During their eye-opening March 2021 interview on CBS, Harry and Meghan opened up about some “really hard” discussions that occurred before they welcomed their son, Archie, in May 2019.
“They didn’t want him to be a prince or a princess, which would be different from protocol,” Meghan explained, recalling that they were given “no explanation” about declining to give the new member of the royal family the recognition of a title or the privilege of security.
“I heard a lot of it through Harry and other parts through conversations with family members. It was a decision they felt was appropriate,” the duchess continued. “All around this same time, we had in tandem the conversation of he won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
When Harry joined his wife for the second half of the interview, he refused to name the family members who allegedly voiced those concerns. However, it was later revealed on CBS This Morning that neither the queen nor Prince Philip were present for those conversations.
Prince Andrew Loses His Patronages
In January 2022, Buckingham Palace released a statement about the Duke of York’s work with the royal family amid his ongoing sexual assault lawsuit.
“With the queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen,” the statement read. “The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and defending this case as a private citizen.”
The news came five months after Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the prince for alleged sexual abuse and emotional distress. Andrew’s Los Angeles attorney Andrew Brettler argued during an August 2021 court hearing that the claims are “baseless, nonviable and potentially unlawful.”
Two months after Giuffre filed a U.S. civil sexual assault lawsuit against him, the British police announced that, after reviewing a document tied to the case, they would not act against Andrew. The case in the U.S., however, is still ongoing with a judge ruling in January 2022 to dismiss Andrew’s legal team’s request to throw out the lawsuit due to Giuffre’s alleged lack of credibility.
Lady Susan Hussey Resigns
In November 2022, William’s godmother and one of Charles’ top team members resigned from her royal post amid allegations of racism.
“We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace asserted in a statement. “In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.”
The controversy began when activist Ngozi Fulani claimed via social media that she was asked racially insensitive questions about her background by “a member of staff, Lady SH,” during a royal event. The palace stated that The Firm “reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.”
According to the spokesperson: “In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect. All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”
Prince Harry’s Memoir
In January 2023, Harry released his highly anticipated memoir, Spare, which detailed his experience as a member of the royal family. He was particularly candid about his experience growing up in William’s shadow.
“Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare. This wasn’t merely how the press referred to us — though it was definitely that. This was shorthand often used by Pa and Mummy and Grandpa. And even Granny,” he wrote. “I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced after.”
Elsewhere in the book, Harry claimed that William and Kate encouraged him to wear the controversial Nazi uniform in 2005 and “howled” with laughter about the costume. He also alleged that a 2019 physical fight with William, which began with William calling Meghan “difficult” and “rude,” left him with “scrapes and bruises.”
The tell-all deepend the rift between the brothers. Royal author Omid Scobie wrote in his August 2023 book, End Game, that William “no longer even recognizes” his brother and is “convinced” that Harry has been “brainwashed” by an “army of therapists.”
Princess Kate’s Undisclosed Procedure and Photo Editing Drama
Kensington Palace announced in January 2024 that Kate had undergone a “planned” abdominal procedure and was unlikely to return to public duties until that April. As time went on with no further details about Kate’s surgery, theories circulated online about what could be keeping the princess out of the public eye for so long.
The rumors were further fueled when multiple news outlets received notice in March 2024 to remove a Mother’s Day portrait of Kate and her children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Several Associated Press journalists shared screenshots via X of the “kill” notification, which noted that the photo appeared to have been “manipulated” by the source.
Kate subsequently issued a public statement via X.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused,” read an X post shared via the official Prince and Princess of Wales account. “I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day.”
Royal expert and public relations professional David Johnson told Us at the time that having Kate address the controversy herself had only created more confusion and conspiracy theories.
“The thing that you do is say, ‘This was a mistake, something that should not have happened. It was a junior person on our staff who released [the photo]. We know you’re all waiting to see the Princess of Wales, and you will see her shortly,’” Johnson said. “By trying to throw the blame on her, it’s created even more of a story. … It seems almost like … complete chaos dysfunction, and that there’s something waiting to drop and no one knows what it is.”
He continued: “They need someone to come forward and fall on the sword — and not Catherine — [and] explain what happened. They also need to give a detail of what is going on with Catherine. The longer this goes on, you’re going to have more people spreading rumors about her.”
