SUPPORT for the royal family has dipped to a historic low, with preference for having a monarchy falling below 50 per cent for the first time, polling revealed today. 

The survey, conducted by Savanta and commissioned by the anti-monarchy group Republic, found that 48 per cent backed having a monarchy. 

Of the 2,200 people polled, 32 per cent said they would prefer an elected head of state.

One in five people were unsure, which Republic said is indicative of an urgent need for serious and open debate about alternatives.

Republic’s leader Graham Smith said the findings were “huge” and showed that the monarchy is suffering “a calamitous loss of support.

“Royalists have spent years saying the monarchy has the support of the country,” he said. “That’s clearly no longer the case.

“We desperately need a better informed, more robust and higher profile debate about what it means to abolish the monarchy.”

When the same poll was carried out in November, 52 per cent said they preferred the monarchy over an elected head of state. 

The findings show that support for the monarchy has dropped four points in just six weeks, amid the resurfacing of sexual abuse allegations against Prince Andrew in newly released court files. 

“Andrew has clearly done significant damage to the monarchy, but Charles is the one responsible,” said Mr Smith. 

“He has been behind decisions on how to mis-manage the scandal, and how to respond to Harry and Meghan. 

“This is the result. The monarchy is on borrowed time. Britain will be a republic.”