Sept. 4 (UPI) — As the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II approaches this week, a recent poll reveals a significant generational divide when it comes to support for the monarchy.
According to a YouGov opinion poll released on Monday, only 30% of individuals in the 18 to 24 age group, often referred to as Gen Z, believe that the monarchy is beneficial for Britain. This marks a 50% decrease over the past decade and stands in stark contrast to the 77% approval rating among those aged 65 and older.
Queen Elizabeth, the longest-serving monarch in British history, passed away one year ago this Friday at the age of 96. Almost a year after her death and one year into King Charles’ reign, the survey shows that 62% of people across all generations wish to see the monarchy continue.
“Support for the monarchy is likely to fall below 50% in the near future,” cautions Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy campaign Republic.
The poll, which surveyed over 2,000 individuals in Britain, indicates a “general decline in support and suggests that younger individuals will not be swayed towards the pro-monarchy stance,” adds Smith.
Historian Ed Owens believes that Prince William has the potential to reverse this trend due to his appeal across all age groups. However, Owens attributes the growing dissatisfaction among younger generations to issues such as student debt, stagnant wages, and unaffordable housing. He questions, “Why should they celebrate an institution that appears to be at the core of such a flawed system?”
Although 53% of those surveyed view the royal family as providing “good value for the money,” this number drops to 34% among Gen Z and rises to 75% among those aged 65 and older.
Overall, a majority of respondents believe that King Charles has performed well during his first year on the throne, with 59% stating that he is doing a good job.
Prince William, Princess Anne, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, remain the most popular members of the royal family, with favorable views from 72% to 74% of Britons, according to the poll.
On the other hand, Prince Andrew has the least support, with only 6% of respondents holding a positive view of him. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also received lower rankings, with 31% and 24% respectively.
Interestingly, Prince Harry and Meghan’s approval ratings reveal a generational divide in the opposite direction, with disapproval being higher among older age groups. In contrast, Prince William and Kate’s positive ratings cut across all generations.
