Royal wedding fever in teacup form—but just how popular is the monarchy in 2011?
If the public has a message as William prepares to marry Kate, it is this: give the lad a break. In recent years, polls have consistently found that the public would prefer William, rather than Charles, to be Britain’s next monarch. No longer. In YouGov’s latest poll for Prospect, just 37 per cent of respondents thought that William should succeed his grandmother, while 45 per cent think Charles should inherit the crown after more than four decades as Prince of Wales. This compares with a 41-37 per cent margin in William’s favour five years ago, just after Charles announced his engagement to Camilla. Perhaps the feeling now, in light of William’s upcoming wedding, is that he should enjoy some years of as-normal-as-possible life with Kate before he ascends to the throne. It is said that some of Elizabeth II’s happiest days were spent in the late 1940s as the wife of a young naval officer in Malta, before she became Queen. Wedding fever has also sapped the radicalism of some republicans. Five years ago 19 per cent wanted neither Charles nor William to become king: they wanted the monarchy scrapped. That number has declined by one third, to just 13 per cent. Neither is it true that the older we get the more we favour the monarchy: the limited appeal of republicanism varies little by age. On the other hand, there are signs that many people would like a monarch of roughly their own age. Charles’s generation—the over 60s—prefer him to William by three-to-two, while the under 40s would slightly prefer William to be king. That said, there is no wish for a handover anytime soon. YouGov reminded people that the Queen is 85 this April. Even so, 65 per cent want her to stay on, while just 25 per cent think she should step down. Three-quarters of a century after the brief reign of Edward VIII, the notion of abdication still sends a collective shiver down the national spine. By margins of two-to-one, we reveal ourselves to be traditionalists in two other ways: we are happy for the next monarch to continue as head of other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, and also to be head of the Church of England. Antidisestablishmentarianism may not attract as much passion as Iraq, student fees or the X Factor, but it does reflect the public mood. However, a majority does back two mooted reforms. By 75-17 per cent we think the eldest child of a monarch, whatever their gender, should become monarch—not the eldest son. Surprisingly, young people are most in favour of keeping male primogeniture: 27 per cent of 18-24 year olds. As we found in our survey on sexism in the March issue of Prospect, the largest minorities favouring male inheritance are among young men. The testosterone tendency seems to have invaded national life. Second, by 71-16 per cent, we think our monarch should be allowed to have a Catholic spouse. Ever since 1701, nobody who “should profess the popish religion, or marry a papist” may ascend to the throne. William could have married a Baptist, Quaker, Jew, Muslim, atheist or Jedi knight—but not a Catholic.
Also in Prospect’s monarchy special:Simon Jenkins: What’s the point of the monarchy? David Kershaw advises the royals on their brand management Will Self argues it’s time to give the royals the boot Vernon Bogdanor on crown and constitution Edwina Currie, Alex Salmond, Bonnie Greer, Yann Martel and other public figures say whether the monarchy is good for Britain
If the public has a message as William prepares to marry Kate, it is this: give the lad a break. In recent years, polls have consistently found that the public would prefer William, rather than Charles, to be Britain’s next monarch. No longer. In YouGov’s latest poll for Prospect, just 37 per cent of respondents thought that William should succeed his grandmother, while 45 per cent think Charles should inherit the crown after more than four decades as Prince of Wales. This compares with a 41-37 per cent margin in William’s favour five years ago, just after Charles announced his engagement to Camilla. Perhaps the feeling now, in light of William’s upcoming wedding, is that he should enjoy some years of as-normal-as-possible life with Kate before he ascends to the throne. It is said that some of Elizabeth II’s happiest days were spent in the late 1940s as the wife of a young naval officer in Malta, before she became Queen. Wedding fever has also sapped the radicalism of some republicans. Five years ago 19 per cent wanted neither Charles nor William to become king: they wanted the monarchy scrapped. That number has declined by one third, to just 13 per cent. Neither is it true that the older we get the more we favour the monarchy: the limited appeal of republicanism varies little by age. On the other hand, there are signs that many people would like a monarch of roughly their own age. Charles’s generation—the over 60s—prefer him to William by three-to-two, while the under 40s would slightly prefer William to be king. That said, there is no wish for a handover anytime soon. YouGov reminded people that the Queen is 85 this April. Even so, 65 per cent want her to stay on, while just 25 per cent think she should step down. Three-quarters of a century after the brief reign of Edward VIII, the notion of abdication still sends a collective shiver down the national spine. By margins of two-to-one, we reveal ourselves to be traditionalists in two other ways: we are happy for the next monarch to continue as head of other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, and also to be head of the Church of England. Antidisestablishmentarianism may not attract as much passion as Iraq, student fees or the X Factor, but it does reflect the public mood. However, a majority does back two mooted reforms. By 75-17 per cent we think the eldest child of a monarch, whatever their gender, should become monarch—not the eldest son. Surprisingly, young people are most in favour of keeping male primogeniture: 27 per cent of 18-24 year olds. As we found in our survey on sexism in the March issue of Prospect, the largest minorities favouring male inheritance are among young men. The testosterone tendency seems to have invaded national life. Second, by 71-16 per cent, we think our monarch should be allowed to have a Catholic spouse. Ever since 1701, nobody who “should profess the popish religion, or marry a papist” may ascend to the throne. William could have married a Baptist, Quaker, Jew, Muslim, atheist or Jedi knight—but not a Catholic.
Also in Prospect’s monarchy special:Simon Jenkins: What’s the point of the monarchy? David Kershaw advises the royals on their brand management Will Self argues it’s time to give the royals the boot Vernon Bogdanor on crown and constitution Edwina Currie, Alex Salmond, Bonnie Greer, Yann Martel and other public figures say whether the monarchy is good for Britain
