2023-04-24 10:33:38
United Kingdom
Brits remain pro-monarchy, but support for king slips
A survey commissioned by the BBC, a few days before the coronation of Charles III, reveals a lack of interest among young people in the monarchy.
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King Charles III during a recent parade.
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The majority of Britons remain in favor of the monarchy but support for the king is waning among the youngest, according to a poll published Monday a few days before coronation of Charles III. In this survey conducted online in mid-April by the YouGov institute, 58% of the 4,592 Britons questioned still believe that a monarch is preferable to an elected head of state, desired by 26% of respondents. If the British remain in majority pro-monarchy, support back: in 2012, on the occasion of the 60 years of reign of Elizabeth II, a similar poll carried out by YouGov showed that almost three quarters of the British preferred a monarch to an elected head of state.
Youth support dwindles
In detail, the new survey commissioned by the BBC also reveals significant differences of opinion according to age categories: if 78% of those over 65 are in favor of the monarchy, only 32% of 18-24 year olds are agree (against 38% who want an elected head of state and 30% who don’t know). Three-quarters of young people surveyed (78%) also say they are “not interested” in the royal family. Another poll in mid-April showed almost two-thirds of Britons are not interested in the coronation, scheduled for May 6. Among the youngest, 59% believe that King Charles is “disconnected” from the lives of his subjects, a feeling shared by 45% of Britons.
In the midst of a cost of living crisis and with inflation remaining above 10%, some criticize the cost of organizing an event like a coronation, which is accompanied by all the pomp of which the British monarchy has the secret. The costs of the celebrations are not yet known but according to estimates, the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 – admittedly more grandiose than that planned for Charles – had cost the equivalent of more than 22 million euros. The majority of Britons (54%) still think that the institution remains positive for the country and brings more to the United Kingdom than it costs, although, again, the youngest are more skeptical (40%) .
(AFP)
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