According to YouGov, Queen Elizabeth II holds an 81% positive rating, making her the most popular member of the royal family. Princess Diana follows closely with 77%, Prince William with 76%, and Princess Catherine with 75%. King Charles has a 60% positive view, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lag at 30% and 20% respectively. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has the lowest positive rating at just 3%. The same poll indicates that 57-59% of Britons see the royal family and monarchy in a favourable light, while 15% believe the monarchy is bad for Britain. Support for the monarchy overall is 64%, according to YouGov.
King Charles faces specific challenges, with 34% of Britons holding a negative view of him, YouGov reports. Ipsos polling shows that 35% think the monarchy has become more transparent since his accession, but 21% say it has grown more secretive. Furthermore, 50% say the Royal Family has become divided during Charles's reign, while only 15% say it is more united. Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos, said: "As societal values evolve, the monarchy's ability to adapt and address these concerns will be pivotal in maintaining its relevance and support."
Clearly the shine is coming off the royals for large swathes of the public. People are realising the monarchy is not such great value for money, while they increasingly have doubts about the royals' response to the Andrew scandal.
Financial transparency remains a contentious issue. Ipsos reports that 35% of Britons believe the Royal Family is good value for money for the taxpayer, down from 48% in April last year. Meanwhile, 63% of British voters support royal finances facing the same public scrutiny as Government expenditure, according to BMG. Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said: "Clearly the shine is coming off the royals for large swathes of the public. People are realising the monarchy is not such great value for money, while they increasingly have doubts about the royals' response to the Andrew scandal." He added: "If anyone spends public money the public have a right to know about it. It's that simple." Andrew Lownie, author of a biography on Mountbatten-Windsor, said: "As a monarchist who wants it to continue, but with continued trust and respect, I welcome greater transparency about royal finances. I also hope they will now be open to more parliamentary scrutiny. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear."
Public opinion on Harry and Meghan's titles is clear: 61% of Britons believe they should not be allowed to use their Sussex titles for commercial or personal advantage, according to a Find Out Now poll. This comes amid ongoing debates about the couple's activities after stepping back from royal duties.
As societal values evolve, the monarchy's ability to adapt and address these concerns will be pivotal in maintaining its relevance and support.
In the US, awareness of King Charles's state visit is low. A Daily Mail/JL Partners poll found that 53% of US registered voters had heard nothing at all about the visit. Only 27% of US voters believe King Charles should meet with Epstein survivors during his visit. The same poll indicates limited engagement with the monarchy across the Atlantic.
Contradictions exist in the polling data regarding future support. While 62% of voters believe the UK will still have a monarchy in 20 years (i paper poll), Ipsos data shows a decline in the perception that the Royal Family is good value for money, suggesting potential erosion of support, especially among younger Britons. It remains unclear what specific actions the monarchy will take to address declining support among younger demographics. Additionally, whether King Charles will meet with Epstein survivors during his US state visit is unknown. The Royal Family's response to calls for greater financial transparency also remains to be seen. The impact of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal on future royal popularity is uncertain, as is whether Harry and Meghan will continue to use their royal titles for commercial ventures despite public opposition.
If anyone spends public money the public have a right to know about it. It’s that simple.
The monarchy has no place in a modern democracy. It’s running out of road and the sooner it goes the better.
As a monarchist who wants it to continue, but with continued trust and respect, I welcome greater transparency about royal finances. I also hope they will now be open to more parliamentary scrutiny. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear.