Nearly half of young adults in the United Kingdom believe the monarchy should be abolished, a new poll shows.
A YouGov survey revealed that roughly 41% of British young adults between 18-24 years of age prefer an elected head of state over a monarchy while 31% prefer a king or queen. Young people’s disdain for the monarchy had drastically increased in a two year period. In 2019, only 26% preferred an elected official over a monarch, according to The Independent.
The poll was conducted between May 7-12 with a sample size of 4,997 adults between the ages of 15-49.
In 2019, 46% of young people supported a monarchy. The percentage of young people supporting an elected head of state rose to 37% in 2020 then to 41% in 2021, The Independent reported. Despite the monarchy’s drop in popularity among young people, an overwhelming majority of respondents, 61%, support a monarchy over an elected official.
The poll recorded that over a quarter of young adults, 28%, are unsure of whether they prefer a monarchy or an elected head of state. (RELATED): Poll: 58% Of Britons Think It’s Time For The Uk To Stop Obsessing Over The Royal Family)
Young Britons are turning their backs on the monarchy.
% that would now prefer…
Elected head of state: 41% (+15)
Monarchy: 31% (-15)Changes from 2019https://t.co/5SxqrRgILm pic.twitter.com/ZloTBKGgG7
— YouGov (@YouGov) May 21, 2021
The poll revealed that 70% of British citizens between the ages 50-64 and 81% of people over the age of 65 support the monarchy. Since 2019, support for the monarchy has remained the same amongst the older generations.
Respondents between the ages of 25-49 overwhelmingly support the monarchy, with 53% responding that the monarchy should remain and 27% favoring an elected head of state, the poll shows.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from their royal duties in January 2020, and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stepped down over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The poll revealed that the younger generation generates more sympathy towards Prince Harry and Markle while those 50 years and older hold a more favorable view of Queen Elizabeth II.