At a glance…
- A new YouGov poll reveals how Britons really feel about the Royal Family, with King Charles recording his highest-ever job approval rating.
- Despite the King’s strong performance, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Princess Anne remain the UK’s most popular working royals.
- The survey also shows Queen Camilla continues to divide public opinion, while Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and former Prince Andrew remain among the least popular royals.
The Brits love their King, but they are not sold on his Queen, according to the latest YouGov poll measuring the popularity of the British Royal Family.
68 per cent of Brits believe the King is doing a good job, which is the highest approval rating YouGov has ever recorded. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales are the most popular Royals.
Overall, attitudes towards the royal family remain positive. About six in ten Brits have a good opinion of the Royal family and the institution of the monarchy. About a third view the family and the institution negatively.
King Charles III hits record approval, but Queen Camilla still struggles
After nearly four years on the throne, King Charles III enjoys the support of most UK residents. 68 per cent of those surveyed said he is doing a good job, according to a survey of 2,000 people.
The King’s popularity has remained resilient despite a challenging few years, including his cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment. His measured public appearances and continued commitment to royal duties have generally been well received.
His state visit to Canada in 2025 and subsequent overseas engagements reinforced his image as a steady monarch. Furthermore, his recent diplomatic visit to the United States was widely viewed as a success, generating public goodwill.
62 per cent have a positive opinion of the King, whereas only 43 per cent have a positive view of Queen Camilla. Her popularity has improved dramatically since the days when she was viewed as the “other woman” in King Charles’s marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales. However, she has never entirely shaken that legacy. Polling consistently shows she attracts more negative sentiment than other senior working royals.
Forty-four per cent of those surveyed have a negative view of the King’s second wife, Queen Camilla. A closer look at the data shows the Queen consort’s detractors are more vehement than her supporters. 20 per cent of respondents had a very negative view of Queen Camilla, compared with only 11 per cent who held a very positive view
Prince William is preferred by the public
The Prince and Princess of Wales continue to be the monarchy’s biggest assets. Catherine’s gradual return to public duties following her own cancer treatment was met with widespread public support. Furthermore, William has taken on a more prominent leadership role, helping to cement their status as Britain’s most popular royals.
Heir to the throne, Prince William, is the most beloved by the British public, with 76 per cent having a positive opinion of the 44-year-old. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is only slightly less popular than her husband, with 74 per cent of Britons believing she is doing a good job.
Princess Anne remains a favourite among the public. She has a steady approval rate of 70 per cent, higher than her Regent brother.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, remains unpopular
Prince Harry has also enjoyed an uptick in popularity. Harry’s modest improvement in the poll suggests some softening of attitudes, but he remains a polarising figure. One third (33 per cent) of Brits approve of the Duke of Sussex, up six points from the May 2025 survey.
However, his American wife Meghan remains unpopular. Public opinion has fluctuated since he and Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020. His memoir Spare and several high-profile interviews both also boosted interest and fuelled criticism. Only 22 per cent of Brits have a good opinion of the Duchess of Sussex. Recent ventures — including her Netflix lifestyle series, podcast relaunch, and lifestyle brand — have generated significant publicity but mixed reviews in the UK.
The late Queen Elizabeth II’s disgraced third child, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has an approval rating of two per cent. The former Duke of York was stripped of his title and styles following intense scrutiny of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Read more about Andrew’s recent legal troubles and arrest here.
