A new Ipsos poll reveals that support for the British monarchy has dropped to its lowest level in 33 years. More than half of Britons (55%) still want the country to be a monarchy, but this is the smallest share recorded since polling on the royals began in 1993.
Poll details and historical context
The survey of 1,062 British adults aged 18 and over was conducted between March 5 and 11. When polling started in 1993, public support for the monarchy stood at 69%. It peaked in 2012, when 80% of Britons were in favour. Currently, 27% of respondents want a republic, and 18% said they don't know.
Age divides in attitudes
Younger people are far less supportive of the monarchy. Only 33% of those aged 18–34 favour the institution, while 45% want a republic. In contrast, 74% of those aged 55 and over support the crown, with just 14% preferring a republic.
King Charles and Prince William approval
Six out of ten (60%) respondents are satisfied with the way King Charles is performing his role as monarch. However, this is lower than the average satisfaction rating of 79% that Queen Elizabeth II received between 1992 and 2022. Prince William enjoys higher approval: 71% are satisfied with him, while only 14% are dissatisfied.
Monarchy's future role
Six in ten (60%) Britons believe the monarchy still has an important role to play in Britain's future, while 30% disagree. This is slightly down from 1999–2000, when an average of 67% felt the monarchy had an important role.
Expert comment
Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK Political Research at Ipsos, said: “Ipsos’ latest research on public attitudes to the monarchy reveals an ongoing trend that the Royal Family should not ignore. While the majority of the country remains pro-monarchy, and outnumbers republicans by 2:1, support for the institution is the lowest we have measured for 33 years. The monarchy still has its strengths, and King Charles and especially Prince William remain personally popular with satisfaction ratings that most politicians could only dream of. But to turn this trend around will require convincing young people in particular that the monarchy still has an important, relevant role to play in the future of the country.”
