Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, has expressed support for abolishing the British royal family in a new Channel 4 documentary titled The Royals: Time To Go. In the film, she argues that ending the monarchy would "free Prince George from the burden of becoming King." Sturgeon, who has met members of the royal family on several occasions, said she has "huge sympathy" for them but believes the institution places unnecessary pressure on future generations, particularly the children of the royal family. Sturgeon emphasized that one of the key reasons for abolishing the monarchy is to protect its members, like Prince George, from a future they cannot control. She questioned whether it is fair for someone like Prince George to have a predetermined path as king, rather than the freedom to choose their own life. Sturgeon believes that removing the monarchy would allow future royals to live without the weight of royal duty and tradition. Support for abolishing the monarchy in Scotland has been growing. Last year, The National, Scotland’s only pro-independence newspaper, conducted a poll showing that 53% of Scots supported removing the monarchy and establishing a republic instead. Of those, 36% believed the royal family should be abolished immediately, while others supported gradual change. However, 47% of respondents still believed the monarchy should remain as Scotland’s head of state. Sturgeon’s concerns about the lack of freedom for royal family members are not new. These issues have already played out in the lives of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle. In 2020, they stepped down as senior royals and moved to the United States to escape the pressures of public life. Harry has since spoken openly about his experiences, describing feeling "trapped" within the royal system. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he said he and his family were not free to leave the monarchy without consequences. He expressed deep empathy for his family members, noting that they, too, felt trapped and unable to escape the institution.