Royal family: How popular is the monarchy in the UK?
THE Royal Family has ruled over England and the United Kingdom for centuries, and while it exists as a primarily ceremonial presence, still retains an active role in the lives of the British public. How popular is the monarchy in the UK?
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The modern Royal Family has proved one of the most popular in British history, with their continued public presence enjoyed by much of the country. However, in recent months, controversy has caught some members, which has understandably resulted in a dip in their polls. The dip has led some people to question the activities of the family, and lead others to question whether the monarchy is even necessary.
How popular is the monarchy in the UK?
Individual members and the Royal Family as a whole both receive continuous polling when it comes to popularity.
While some have seen a dip, it seems the most senior members enjoy considerable support.
Polls also suggest most of the country remains in favour of holding on to the monarchy.
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According to regular polling from YouGov, the Royal Family's most beloved member is the Queen.
She currently enjoys 74 percent of public support, just ahead of her grandson Prince William, who is on 67 percent.
His wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, is just a hair's breadth behind him on 64 percent ahead of Prince Harry on 59.
Following them are Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Philip, and heir to the throne Prince Charles, who is in sixth place.
The least popular royal is Prince Andrew, who enjoys just 13 percent of the public vote, half the rate of his daughter, Princess Beatrice on 26 percent.
She ties with Prince Edward for 13th and 14th place, a shade behind Princess Eugenie on 27 percent.
Despite the wide-ranging values pinned to individual members, the Royal Family still enjoys majority popularity.
Another, more recent poll from YouGov asked more than 3,000 British adults whether they thought the UK should retain its Royal Family.
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The results, which came in on February 18 this year, found 62 percent of people believed the UK should keep the monarchy.
One-third of respondents believed the family should go, however, with 22 percent in favour of a British republic.
Just 16 percent said they had no opinion on the matter.
Experts believe the support for the monarchy comes from the fact the UK is already a "crowned republic".
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University College London's (UCL) Constitution Unit noted experts have stated the country bears the hallmark of a republic.
They said: "Apart from the current continuing popularity of the monarchy, it is thought the lack of support for a republic in the UK is associated with the fact that, for most intents and purposes, the UK already possesses all the attributes of a republic except for retaining an hereditary head of state.
"Bagehot thought that in 1867 ('A Republic has insinuated itself beneath the folds of a Monarchy'); and Tennyson called the UK 'a crowned republic' in 1873."
The unit added it is "difficult to foresee" the circumstances in which the UK would become a republic by name.
