In 2021, the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal was ongoing and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had undertaken their Oprah interview and Netflix documentary.
Now, six in 10 of those surveyed say the monarchy has an important role to play in the future of Britain, while 30% believe it does not. The number of respondents who would prefer a republic was 27%.
Six in 10 people believe the King is doing a good job, with 71% reporting the same of the Prince of Wales.
The Ipsos poll of 1062 British adults was undertaken in March 2026, shortly after the arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The polling company pointed out that it has changed its methodology since June 2025, using an online random probability panel instead of a quota telephone survey, adding that “comparisons with previous waves need to be made with caution”.
The most significant fall in support has been among young people.
The poll found that 33% of 18 to 34-year-olds support a monarchy today, compared with 74% in 2013.
Just over half of 35 to 54-year-olds support the royal family as an institution, compared with 74% of the over-55s.
Gideon Skinner, senior director of United Kingdom Political Research at Ipsos, said: “Ipsos’s latest research on public attitudes to the monarchy reveals an ongoing trend that the royal family should not ignore”.
“The monarchy still has its strengths, and King Charles and especially Prince William remain personally popular with satisfaction ratings that most politicians could only dream of.
“But to turn this trend around will require convincing young people in particular that the monarchy still has an important, relevant role to play in the future of the country.”
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