Princess Kate shines as most beloved royal, but poll shows Harry and Meghan’s popularity dips

The Princess of Wales has cemented her status as the most beloved member of the British royal family, according to a new Ipsos poll. The survey, which asked Britons aged 18-75 about their views on the royals, found that 66% hold a favorable opinion of Kate, Princess of Wales. The 42-year-old royal, who recently resumed duties following cancer treatment, outshone her royal counterparts in the poll, receiving only 10% unfavorable feedback.
Prince William followed closely behind, with 65% of respondents viewing him favorably.His popularity far eclipsed his small 13% unfavorable rating, reaffirming his strong position in the public’s heart, report the Post.
Rounding out the top three was Princess Anne, who garnered 62% favorability. Known for her no-nonsense demeanor, Anne was even dubbed a “badass” earlier this year after she expertly managed an unruly horse at the Trooping the Colour ceremony. She continues to maintain her reputation as a reliable and steadfast royal.
While King Charles did not top the charts, the monarch enjoyed a respectable 56% favorability rating in his second year on the throne. Despite battling cancer, the king remains largely well-liked, with Britons appreciating his leadership during challenging times.
However, it’s a different story for the king’s estranged son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle. With a favorability rating of just 28%, Harry's public perception has taken a significant hit, with 46% holding an unfavorable opinion. Meghan Markle fared even worse, with only 21% of Britons viewing her favorably, and a staggering 53% unfavorable rating. Only Prince Andrew, embroiled in scandal, ranked lower, with just 10% holding a positive opinion and 66% viewing him unfavorably.
The poll highlights the monarchy’s enduring appeal. Less than a quarter of Brits (23%) believe Britain would be better off without the monarchy, while 44% think the country would be worse off if the institution were abolished.
“This recent poll paints a picture of the Royal Family’s enduring appeal,” noted Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK Politics at Ipsos. “It’s also noteworthy that over half of Britons believe King Charles is performing well in his role, and only a minority want to abolish the monarchy, suggesting a degree of stability in the Royal Family’s image.”
Interestingly, Harry and Meghan’s favorability was higher among younger Britons, with many expressing support for the prince’s return to the UK as a working royal. Despite this, no current royal rivals the late Queen Elizabeth II in terms of popularity. A separate Ipsos survey from May 2022 revealed that an impressive 86% of Brits were satisfied with the Queen’s performance, just months before her passing.
The poll underscores a complex royal landscape—while the younger generation may show some leniency towards Harry and Meghan, the traditional core of the monarchy remains firmly intact, with Kate, William, and Charles holding strong in public opinion.