Queen Elizabeth II Maintains Top Spot as Britain's Most Popular Royal
A new YouGov poll has revealed that Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away more than three years ago, continues to be Britain's most popular royal figure. The late monarch, who served as sovereign for an unprecedented 70 years and 214 days, is viewed positively by an overwhelming 81% of Britons. This figure surpasses the popularity ratings of all living members of the royal family.
Enduring Legacy and Public Support
The polling, conducted ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday on April 21, shows that 84% of respondents believe she did a good job as Queen. This enduring admiration highlights how her legacy continues to resonate with the British public. Despite various controversies involving other royals, support for the monarchy as an institution remains strong at 64%.
Princess Diana also maintains significant popularity, with 77% of Britons holding a positive view of her, including 41% who are "very positive." She is closely followed in popularity by her eldest son Prince William, his wife the Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne.
Current Royal Popularity Rankings
King Charles III enjoys a 60% positive rating, unchanged from previous polls. However, one in three Britons (34%) hold a negative view of the reigning monarch. When asked about his performance specifically, 61% say he is doing well as king, while only 20% believe he is doing a bad job.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Prince Andrew ranks dead last with just 3% of Britons holding a positive view of the former Duke of York. A staggering 93% view him negatively, including 85% who have a "very negative" opinion.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to face public disapproval, with only 30% and 20% respectively holding favourable opinions of the Sussexes. Their popularity shows a significant generational divide:
- Only 19% of over-65s view Prince Harry positively, compared to 35% of 18-24 year olds
- Just 10% of the oldest Britons feel favourably toward Meghan, versus 31% of their youngest counterparts
Broader Attitudes Toward the Monarchy
The poll reveals broader public sentiment about the royal institution:
- Nearly six in ten Britons (57-59%) view the royal family and monarchy favourably
- One third (34-36%) hold negative views of both
- Almost half of all Britons (49%) express pride in the institution
- 59% believe the monarchy is good for the UK, while only 15% think it's "bad for Britain"
Notably, younger Britons under 25 are more sceptical, with 39% believing the monarchy is bad for the country. Despite this, there's little appetite for abolishing the monarchy, with 64% supporting the UK remaining a kingdom, consistent with polling throughout Charles's reign. Approximately a quarter (24%) would prefer an elected head of state.
Harry's Recent Comments in Australia
The poll results emerge as Prince Harry continues his controversial tour of Australia. Speaking at the $1,000-a-head InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, the Duke of Sussex made emotional remarks about his royal background, stating he never wanted to be a working royal because it "killed" his mother.
"After my mum died just before my 13th birthday I was like: 'I don't want this job. I don't want this role wherever this is headed, I don't like it,'" Harry told the audience. "It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years."
Earlier in the day, the couple spoke to students at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology about social media's impact on mental health. Meghan revealed she has been "bullied and attacked" for ten years, claiming: "I was the most trolled person in the entire world."
During the university discussion, Harry praised Australia's ban on under-16s using social media as "epic" from a "responsibility and leadership standpoint." He later discussed his personal struggles with mental health, telling summit attendees: "There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed. Times when I've felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless."
The Duke emphasized that becoming a father changed his perspective, noting that "when a parent is overwhelmed, children feel it." He concluded that "asking for help isn't a weakness. It's very much a form of strength."
The poll results and Harry's recent comments highlight the complex relationship between the royal family and British public opinion, demonstrating both enduring admiration for traditional figures and evolving attitudes toward more controversial members.
