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Sky Data: Most Britons Want To Retain Monarchy

Sky Data: Most Britons Want To Retain Monarchy

Seven out of ten people think Britain should remain a monarchy forever, a Sky Data poll exclusively reveals.

As Queen Elizabeth II becomes the UK's longest-serving monarch ever, the institution - and the Queen herself - remain as popular as ever.

A comprehensive majority of Britons have been in favour of retaining the monarchy whenever it has been polled, although it has grown even more popular in recent years following the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

And almost 75% of Britons now say the monarchy is integral to British culture.

:: Click Here For The Full Results Of The Sky Data Poll

Not all members of the royal family are equally liked, however. At the time of the Diamond Jubilee, Ipsos MORI showed Prince William was by far the most popular royal, well ahead of the Queen, with Prince Charles trailing far behind.

Despite this, most Britons consistently say that Charles should not abdicate in favour of William - the only exceptions to this coming immediately following the death of Princess Diana and preceding Charles' marriage to Camilla Parker-Bowles.

Sky Data's survey also shows that the public is split on how William will fare as King in comparison with the current Queen, suggesting likeability is perhaps not the only thing expected of a monarch.

Indeed, the royals are seen as more than mere celebrities - six out of ten people polled think the monarchy still plays an important role in the functioning of the British state.

The majority of Britons also trust the Queen more than most politicians. Given that politicians are consistently the least trusted group in society (narrowly trailing journalists) this is possibly unsurprising, but is perhaps damaging for those seeking an elected head of state.

Sky's political analyst Harry Carr said: "Even following her notorious 'annus horribilis' and her fraught relationship with Princess Diana, the Queen herself and the monarchy in general have remained ever popular.

"As we look back in history in celebrating the Queen's landmark as Britain's longest-serving monarch, these findings show the overwhelming popularity of retaining the monarchy not only now, but in perpetuity.

"And with a popular new generation of royals coming to the fore in Princes William and Harry, the monarchy does appear to be in safe hands."

Not all Britons are thrilled with the notion of ever-lasting monarchy, however.

One in five think Britain should one day become a republic, with the same proportion saying that the monarchy is a waste of money.

Mention of the monarchy may also detract from the national anthem's ability to unify the country, with 22% saying the anthem should be changed to one that does not make reference to the royal family.

If popular opinion holds sway, however, the Royal Family will indeed be long to reign over us.

:: The Queen and the monarchy - key Sky Data stats

:: 70% want Britain to ‘remain a monarchy forever’

:: 73% think the monarchy is an ‘integral part of British culture’

:: 58% trust the Queen ‘more than they trust most politicians’

:: 21% say the monarchy is a ‘waste of money’; 61% disagree

:: 61% think the monarchy "still plays an important role in the functioning of the British state"

:: Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,117 Sky customers online from 21-24 August this year. Data weighted to match the profile of the population.