The monarchy is "very important" to just 29% of Britons, compared with 38% a year ago, according to a poll with a week to go before Charles III's Coronation on May 6. The data from the National Center for Social Research (NatCen), based on 6,638 interviews, reflect a significant drop in support for the institution since the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022, when it reached its peak of popularity in the last decade.
For 45% of those surveyed, the monarchy is not important or should even be abolished, according to the NatCen survey. Even so, 58% of Britons still prefer a king or queen, compared to 26% who favor a republic "with an elected head of state."
Support for the Crown is in any case the lowest detected since the data began to be collected in 1983. Although the level of popularity of the Windsors is relatively similar to what they had in 2021, before the "comeback" of the Jubilee of Platinum.
Another survey, by YouGov for the BBC's Panorama program, has revealed the drop in support for the monarchy among young people. 38% of Britons aged 18-24 are in favor of "an elected head of state" compared to 30% who support the monarchy (30% don't know/no answer).
The publication of Prince Henry's controversial autobiography, In the Shadow", and the last blows of the Prince Andrew scandal have also contributed to a deterioration in the public image of the Royals, although Carlos III has apparently managed to weather the storm.
52% of Britons think he will be "a good king" (according to another MailOnline poll) and 51% believe the UK will still be a monarchy half a century from now.
"Although we are seeing a downward trend in support for the monarchy, it is clear that national events and celebrations have a clear positive effect on society's view of the monarchy," said Guy Goodwin, executive director of NatCen. which acknowledges that the momentum of the wedding of the Princes of Wales (then Dukes of Cambridge) and Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee contributed to the "peak" popularity of the Royal Family in the 2010s.
Goodwin highlights, however, the marked generational gap detected by the surveys: barely 12% of Britons between 18 and 24 years of age consider the monarchy as "very important", compared to 42% of those over 55 years of age. "The great challenge for the institution is to show its relevance and be more attractive to the young generations, if they want to maintain their level of popular support," concludes the director of NatCen.
The recent Panorama report on the BBC has brought to light the "indifference" of young people to the Coronation, with 78% acknowledging a lack of interest in the royal family. 40% of young people also believe that the monarchy is a waste of money, compared to 36% who consider that their expenses are more than justified.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
