Campaign group Republic has today called for an open, honest national debate about the future of the monarchy.

The call follows the devastating Oprah interview with Harry and Meghan which has rocked the institution.

Graham Smith, speaking today, said:

"The monarchy has just been hit by its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936. Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go."

"Some people will say 'well you would say that', but this interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values."

"Most people in the UK don't give a second thought to the royals, they're just not that interested. The monarchy is tolerated because of a carefully managed but dishonest image that's been created over the past few decades."

"Now people are getting a much clearer picture of what the monarchy is really like. And it doesn't look good. With the Queen likely to be replaced by King Charles during this decade the position of the monarchy has rarely looked weaker."

"We now need honesty in the monarchy debate that has been sorely lacking until now. Honesty about the democratic alternative, honesty about royal corruption, honesty about costs, tourism and every other bit of nonsense trotted out by royalists for years."

"Britain is better than this. We deserve better than this. The monarchy will always be part of our history. It mustn't be part of our future."