Queen Elizabeth II

Investigations identify numerous statutory exemptions or immunities benefiting the sovereign and private royal estates, including provisions preventing certain inspections or searches without consent. An exemption concerning searches for potentially looted cultural objects is notably identified in 2017 legislation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Prince Andrew's continued connections with Jeffrey Epstein, followed by Virginia Giuffre's civil action against Andrew, plunge the monarchy into a major crisis. Elizabeth II is criticised for continuing to appear publicly close to her son during part of the period.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Family member

An archival investigation identifies more than a thousand bills submitted for examination by the Queen or Prince of Wales under Queen's Consent, sometimes on matters affecting the Crown's interests or property.

Attribution

Political responsibility

Following Harry and Meghan's withdrawal from royal duties, their interview with Oprah Winfrey renews the crisis in 2021: Meghan says a member of the royal family expressed concern about their son's possible skin colour and that she received inadequate support while experiencing psychological distress.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

The Paradise Papers reveal that the Duchy of Lancaster, which manages assets intended to fund the Queen privately, invested several million pounds in offshore funds in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. One investment had indirect exposure to BrightHouse, a heavily criticised consumer credit company.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

After the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Queen and royal family remain at Balmoral for several days with William and Harry. The initial absence of a public statement and the failure to fly a flag at half-mast over Buckingham Palace cause a popularity crisis and strong criticism.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the Windsor Castle fire, the prospect of taxpayers funding restoration while the sovereign was not paying income tax provokes a strong public reaction. The monarchy subsequently announces that Buckingham Palace will open to visitors to help fund costs, and Elizabeth II agrees voluntarily to pay tax on her private income.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

According to declassified documents, Elizabeth II's private lawyer lobbies in 1973 for a bill on corporate transparency to be amended to prevent public disclosure of the sovereign's private shareholdings. An exemption is subsequently introduced.

State of the evidence

Documented

National Archives documents show that the Royal Household still refused in the late 1960s to employ 'coloured immigrants or foreigners' in clerical positions, although people from minority backgrounds held domestic posts. The Palace also benefited from exemptions from certain provisions of British anti-discrimination law.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Elizabeth II accedes to the throne in 1952 while the British Empire is engaged in suppressing the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. Thousands of Kenyans are detained, and acts of torture and ill-treatment are subsequently acknowledged in litigation which leads the British government to compensate survivors.

State of the evidence

Disputed