Even in a monarchy, public opinion matters. Which raises the question: What do the British really think of their royal family?
As we know, King Charles recently stripped his brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, of his royal title and other privileges. Andrew’s reckless behavior, especially his sordid ties to the vile Jeffrey Epstein, had passed the breaking point. Some saw Charles’ actions as “cleaning house” before he hands the crown to Prince William. Others saw it as his duty — to save the monarchy.
The British royal family continues to battle old and new challenges: internal feuds, tabloid banners, nosy books and viral memes dripping with malice. These daily assaults come and go, as targets change, but they will always be there.
It can be said, too, that polls are a growing annoyance for the sheltered residents of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Henry VIII and Queen Victoria had much to worry about, but one of their worries wasn’t scientifically calculated favorability ratings. Today’s royals can’t ignore them.
Remember “The Queen,” the 2006 Helen Mirren film? Critics assumed it was about the crown’s stoic reaction to Princess Diana’s death. It was really about misreading public opinion — and its consequences.
So, what do the poll numbers now show? The latest YouGov poll finds the royal family is broadly popular. A solid 59% majority of British adults view them positively, with barely a third taking a negative view.
Leading the pack in personal popularity are William (76% positive), Catherine (73%) and Princess Anne (70%), the king’s sister.
King Charles does well, too; 62% of Britons are in his corner. That’s up three points since August. Moreover, the king’s job rating, which measures his official performance and not just personal feelings toward him, is a robust 65%.
Ron Faucheux
The king rates better among women than men. His strongest age cohort is Baby Boomers; his weakest, Generation X. He does best among followers of Britain’s Conservative Party (88%), but has plenty of fans in other parties as well: 67% of Labour, 60% of Reform UK and 72% of Liberal Democrats.
Charles enjoys much higher public approval than his own prime minister, Keir Starmer, who has a limp 27% positive rating. In fact, the king is more popular in the U.K. than many world leaders are at home. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron has dropped to 11% in one Verian Group poll, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz sits at 25% in an RTL/NTV survey and U.S. President Donald Trump averages 43% based on five recent polls.
Britons are divided on Queen Camilla. Fewer than half (45%) rate her positively, while 41% hold a negative opinion of her. This lackluster public esteem is proof that a controversial back story and relentless criticism takes a toll.
Prince Harry, who retains his title (at least for now), is decidedly under water, 30% positive and 58% negative. His wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, rates even worse: 21% favorable, 66% unfavorable. No wonder they’re reluctant to move back to Britain. Interestingly, polls taken in the U.S. show Americans have a more positive view of these two than do the British.
And Andrew? Before losing his title, he rated a ghastly 4% positive, 91% negative. These numbers aren’t just bad, they’re bring-down-the-monarchy bad. Demoting his brother was the king’s only credible option. Still, Britons wonder: What took him so long?
Then there is the monarchy itself. Support for its continuation is 62%; only 25% of British adults would prefer to have an elected head of state.
While support for monarchy is down five points since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, it still draws wide backing. The latest YouGov poll shows that only 13% of Britons believe the institution of monarchy is bad for Britain.
Monarchy, however, has a generational predicament. While heavy majorities of those 50 and older favor keeping it, fewer than half of those 18-49 do. You might think the ascent of William and Kate would eventually close that gap, but polling shows even they do better among older than younger folks.
These polls confirm what we’ve long known, that the British are masters at keeping calm and carrying on — even when it comes to the crown.