Since the last survey conducted by YouGov in 2019, there has been a change in the mindset of 18-24-year-olds in Britain about still wanting a monarchical constitutional government. As her majesty Queen Elizabeth becomes the first monarch to celebrate 70 years in service, more young people are beginning to question the royal family’s future.
Queen Elizabeth II assumed the title of queen on February 6, 1952, after her father, King George VI’s death. In 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria and became the longest-reigning monarch in British history. With her stronghold on the throne and in the country, it is safe to assume that the country would remain under the royal family as long as she is alive.
Although only 31% of people aged 18-24 support the royal family, The high popularity among the other age range remained almost the same. 53% of 25-49-year-olds, 70% of 50-64-year-olds, and 81% of above 65 years still want the monarchy to remain. At the end of the poll, 61% of Great Britain adults still want Britain to continue monarchy in the future.
The royal family has been besieged with scandal after scandal in the last few years. From Prince Harry and Megan Markles’ dramatic exit from the royal family to Prince Andrew‘s sexual abuse scandal, the royal family has not enjoyed the best times in the media. Perhaps the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the queen would overshadow the negativity. The scandals could explain the reason for the decline among younger adults. The numbers however also imply that the scandals do not affect the opinion of the other age groups.
The royal family is not a stranger to unsavoury scandals, so perhaps the public has become desensitised to their activities. As the rest of the world drops the idea of Kings and queens, older British people cling to this tradition.
