LONDON
As the UK marks the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing and the start of the reign of King Charles III, a recent YouGov tracker survey shed light on public sentiment towards the monarch and the royal family.
On Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, who held the throne for an exceptional 70 years, passed away during her Platinum Jubilee year – 70th year in power – while vacationing at her cherished Balmoral in Scotland. She was 96 years old.
This Friday marks both the first anniversary of her passing and the first anniversary of King Charles's coronation.
Despite fluctuations in public opinion following the queen's demise, the survey found that a majority of Britons continue to support the institution of the monarchy.
However, a stark generational divide underscores the challenge facing the royal family in appealing to younger generations.
According to the survey, 62% of Britons believe that the UK should maintain its monarchy, while 26% favor transitioning to an elected head of state.
An additional 11% remain unsure. These figures are consistent with previous polls, although they briefly surged to 67% in the immediate aftermath of Elizabeth's death.
The generational gap becomes evident when examining the data. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, only 37% support retaining the monarchy, while 40% would prefer an elected head of state.
In contrast, older age groups overwhelmingly support the monarchy, with 80% of those over the age 65 advocating its continuation.
Charles’ approval rating
King Charles III's first year on the throne has been marked by mixed reviews, with 59% of Britons expressing approval of his performance, while only 17% believe he is doing a bad job.
These figures align with trends observed in the wake of Queen Elizabeth's passing when approval ratings surged to 63%, followed by consistent figures in the 58-60% range.
The public's perception of the new monarch indicates a generally positive sentiment, but it also reflects the enduring generational divide. Younger demographic groups tend to be less enthusiastic about Charles’ reign, while older Britons express strong support.
The data suggests that Charles and the royal family may face a continuing challenge in bridging the gap between generations and securing the institution's long-term future.
As the monarchy enters a new era, it remains to be seen how public opinion will evolve and whether efforts to engage with younger Britons will prove successful.
Mixed feelings about new king
Barbara, a royal enthusiast, told Anadolu that she admires King Charles for his dedication to various charitable causes and environmental issues.
"He uses his platform to make a positive impact in the world, which is admirable for a modern monarch, she said.
“I think he is good for our future, as much as the queen was amazing for the generations before. He's a people's person, with the Prince's Trust, and he has helped so many people and the environment as well," she added, referring to a charity founded by then-Prince Charles in 1976 to help vulnerable young people age 11-30 get their lives back on track.
Chloe, another Briton who is concerned about the royal family, said: "I have mixed feelings about King Charles. While I respect the monarchy's history, I worry about the cost of maintaining a royal family and whether it's the best use of our resources."
"King Charles' use of taxpayer funds for his personal expenses raise questions about the relevance and cost-effectiveness of maintaining a monarchy in the 21st century," she underlined.
The UK government is planning to significantly increase public funding for King Charles and the monarchy by 45% starting in 2025, despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
These plans were outlined in a review of royal funding released by the Treasury. According to the review, the royal family's grant will rise from £86 million to £125 million ($107.4 million to $156.2 million).
Not the same for Charles
Charles' ascension to the throne marks a significant change for the UK. Elizabeth officially took the throne in 1953, at the tender age of 25, and reigned for an impressive 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Her reign spanned several tumultuous decades, making her an iconic symbol of stability and permanence for the nation.
Things are obviously not the same for Charles, as especially after the disclosure of his marital unfaithfulness to the late Princess Diana, he experienced a significant decline in popularity.
Though he has since made efforts to restore his image in the eyes of the British public, he is still not held in as high regard as many other members of the royals.
