Activists put photos of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Buckingham Palace gates

One of the images on the boards is from the Epstein files, which appears to show the former Duke of York over the top of a woman.

Another picture allegedly shows the former prince with his arm around the late Virginia Giuffre, who alleged Epstein trafficked her and forced her into sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions.

Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him.

Tourists at the gates were quick to snap photos of the placards put up by Republic, who have been incredibly vocal against monarchies since the release of the Epstein files.

Speaking for Republic today, the group's CEO Graham Smith said: "It is inconceivable that the senior royals weren't briefed about Andrew's alleged conduct. It is not serious to suggest William, Charles and the late Queen were not fully informed. If Andrew Lownie and the FBI can find these things out, clearly the royals knew.

"Today's stunt is a gauntlet thrown down to politicians and journalists alike, a challenge to keep asking the same questions of Charles and William: What did you know? And how long have you been covering up for Andrew?"

The group's CEO told GB News he was left "gobsmacked" by Andrew's arrest last week.

Mr Smith said the arrest of the former duke could suggest something "seismic" has happened.

Reacting to the arrest, he told the People's Channel: "I'm gobsmacked to begin with. I never thought this would actually happen.

"I think something seismic has happened here. This is a completely different situation for the monarchy, and it's going to have a huge impact on the way people relate to it."

"The big question that the royals have to answer now is what they knew and when, and what we really need is not just bland statements from palace officials saying, yes, of course, justice must be seen to be done.

"What we need is a direct statement to camera in front of journalists from Charles and William saying we are going to make sure that all the information is available, we're not going to get in the way, and we don't want anybody to feel that they should."

Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing amid the ongoing allegations.

The former senior royal was relocated to Wood Farm following his departure from his previous Windsor residence in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

Aside from Andrew, Mr Smith warned the files could have a seismic impact on other monarchies.

Mr Smith warned European monarchies "regular folks will not tolerate anymore", given the allegations that have come to light.

He told GB News: "The Republic is a member of the alliance of the European Republican movement. So we have close contact with people in places like Norway, the Netherlands, and so on. So they all have scandals.

"They feel they can do whatever they want, and they all need to start realising that time has gone.

"If we can get all the evidence, it will empower the public, and the regular folks will not tolerate it anymore."

Appearing in the Epstein files is not evidence of any wrongdoing and inclusion in the documents does not implicate anyone in Epstein's criminality.

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