Young Britons Are Turning Against The Monarchy As Public Support Falls To A Historic Low

The numbers are in, and they are brutal. Public support for the British monarchy has dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years of polling. Just 55% of Britons still want the country to be a monarchy, down 11 percentage points in three years. Among young people, the collapse is even more dramatic: only 33% of 18-to-34-year-olds support the monarchy today, compared with 74% in 2013.

The Telegraph, not exactly a republican rag, reported the grim figures:

The number of British people who still want the country to be a monarchy has dropped by 11 percentage points in the past three years, to 55 per cent.

The figure, which reflects diminishing support for the monarchy in younger age groups, is the lowest in 33 years of Ipsos polling on the Royal family.

It reached a high of 80 per cent support at the time of the late Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee, after which it dropped gradually to 60 per cent in the year before she died in 2022.

In 2021, the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal was ongoing and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had undertaken their Oprah interview and Netflix documentary.

The poll found that 33 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds support a monarchy today, compared with 74 per cent in 2013.

Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK Political Research at Ipsos, said: “Ipsos’s latest research on public attitudes to the monarchy reveals an ongoing trend that the Royal family should not ignore.”

“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.”

Why William and Kate Are A Big Part Of The Problem

The latest polling data makes for uncomfortable reading for the British monarchy. With public support at its lowest point in over thirty years, the institution faces a generational challenge that cannot be dismissed as a temporary blip. While King Charles inherited a monarchy already in decline, and the Andrew scandal has further eroded trust, the deeper problem lies in the absence of a compelling future vision.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, as the next in line, lie at the heart of this challenge. Their public image, defined by some of the lowest engagement figures among senior royals and an intensely controlled private life, fails to inspire confidence, particularly among younger demographics. Diana, Princess of Wales, mastered the “common touch,” effortlessly bridging social divides. By contrast, the current Prince and Princess of Wales project a distinctly more isolated image.

Kate, especially, has faced criticism for cultivating a style that feels increasingly distant from the realities of everyday British life. That disconnect was starkly illustrated when anti-monarchy protesters booed her as she rode in a carriage with her children during the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The jeers, which quickly circulated on social media, underscored a growing public disaffection that the monarchy’s next generation has so far failed to address.

The persistent narrative of jealousy toward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, even years after their departure from royal duties, further undermines the monarchy’s credibility. Rather than projecting unity and purpose, the institution has allowed itself to be defined by internal feuds and media briefings. The failure to adequately address the conduct of Prince Andrew, or to defend Meghan Sussex, against sustained racist attacks, has left the monarchy appearing institutionally defensive and out of step with modern values.

Final Thoughts

For younger Britons, many of whom face a precarious economic future, the monarchy’s lavish lifestyle and minimal public engagement are increasingly difficult to justify. The perception of a part‑time royal family, funded by taxpayers while enjoying multiple homes and extensive holidays, fuels a growing sense of resentment.

If the monarchy is to reverse this decline, it must demonstrate that it is not merely a relic of the past, but a relevant and accountable institution. That requires more than carefully staged photo opportunities or fleeting appearances at high‑profile events. It demands genuine engagement, transparency, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about its own history and conduct. Without such changes, the trend toward republicanism is likely to accelerate, and the monarchy may find that its greatest threat comes not from external critics but from its own inability to adapt.