A new poll found a growing number of young Brits are now in favour of having an elected head of state instead of a monarchy. According to data by YouGov, 41% of 18 to 24-year-olds would prefer to ditch a sovereign in the future and instead vote for someone to represent the state. Numbers showing this idea have grown more favourable over the last two years. Specifically, that number has grown from 26% in 2019, to 37% in 2020, to the now reported 41%.
The Queen, who has reigned for the last 69 years, is preparing to mark her Platinum Jubilee next year. While she will be the first monarch to reach this milestone, support from young adults seems to be declining. In recent years, the Royal Family has faced a number of troubles, including the Duke of York quitting royal duties over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. Then more recently, more problems came with the fallout falling an interview the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did with Oprah Winfrey following their departure from the Royal Family in 2020.
The country as a whole still backs Her Majesty; numbers show three in five people (61%) are in support of the monarchy. As for those who would rather have an elected head of state, that number sits at 24%.
Older age groups are consistently in favour of having a monarchy. Seven in 10 people between the ages of 50 to 64 years old (70%) still support the institution. That number is compared to the 71% reported in 2019. For those over 65, that number is at 81% rather than the 82% it was in 2019.
As for those between the ages of 25 and 49, opinions have only shifted slightly. More than half (53%) are now in favour of retaining a sovereign, a number that was previously at 58%. About a quarter (27%) would prefer an elected state head.
YouGov surveyed 4,870 adults throughout Great Britain in 2019; in 2020, that number was at 3,127 adults, and in 2021, 4.997 adults in Great Britain were surveyed.
