Support for British Monarchy Plummets to 30-Year Low
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Public support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom has plummeted to its lowest level in more than three decades. This trend signals a significant shift among the public, particularly younger generations who are increasingly questioning the relevance of the royal institution in the modern era.
According to the latest Ipsos survey, support for the monarchy now stands at just around 55% in 2026. This figure has fallen from a peak of approximately 80% in 2012. In the same survey, nearly half of respondents believed the UK would be better off as a republic. Ipsos noted this is the lowest level of support since they began tracking public opinion in 1993.
Buckingham Palace responded to these developments by stating its readiness to cooperate with ongoing legal processes concerning royal family matters. “The King’s thoughts and sympathies remain with the victims of all forms of abuse,” read an official statement from Buckingham Palace, quoted on Monday (22/6/2026).
The steepest decline in support is seen among the 18-34 age group, where only about a third still back the monarchy. Around 45% of this demographic stated that Britain should become a republic, reflecting a generational shift in attitudes towards the traditional institution.
Despite this, personal popularity remains relatively stable. Around 60% of respondents still approve of the way King Charles III performs his duties, while Crown Prince William enjoys a higher approval rating of approximately 71%.
Pressure on the royal family has also been fuelled by controversy involving Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor regarding his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The case resurfaced following additional reports that triggered a new police investigation in the UK in 2026. Prince Andrew had previously settled a civil lawsuit in 2022 with one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, though he continues to deny all allegations. The ongoing polemic remains a factor weighing on the royal family’s public image.
Beyond the UK, the monarchy’s influence is also reported to be waning. Several Commonwealth nations are reconsidering their constitutional ties with the British Crown. Barbados officially became a republic in 2021. A separate YouGov survey in 2023 also indicated shifting attitudes in Commonwealth realms, with six of the 14 overseas territories, including Canada and Australia, showing a tendency to abandon the monarchical system, posing a long-term challenge to the institution’s sustainability.