Support for the British monarchy has fallen to its lowest level on record, according to the latest NatCen survey. While more than half of people in the United Kingdom still prefer the royals over an elected head of state, the sense of importance attached to the monarchy has declined dramatically over the past four decades.

The findings, based on over 4,000 interviews, show that only 51% of respondents now believe it is important to keep the monarchy, compared to 86% when the question was first asked in 1983.

The poll revealed that 31% of the public say the monarchy is not important, up from just 10% in 1983. Meanwhile, support for the abolition of the monarchy has risen from 3% to 15% over the same period.

When asked directly whether they would prefer to keep the monarchy or replace it with an elected head of state, 58% supported retaining the institution, while 38% said they would prefer an alternative system.

Political and regional divides in public opinion

The NatCen survey highlights strong political and regional divides in attitudes toward the royal family.

Among Conservatives, 82% support keeping the monarchy, compared to 77% of Reform UK supporters. Labour voters were nearly evenly split, with 49% in favor of keeping the monarchy and 48% backing an elected head of state.

In Scotland and Wales, more than half of respondents, 59% and 64% respectively, favored an elected head of state.

Support was strongest among those identifying as English (68%) or British (62%).

Generational divide and future of the monarchy

Age also plays a key role. Younger people in the United Kingdom are significantly more likely to back an elected head of state, while support for the monarchy remains strongest among older, right-leaning individuals.

Alex Scholes, research director at NatCen, said that “Support for the monarchy is now at its lowest level since our records began, with more people than ever questioning its future. At the same time, when asked to choose directly, a majority of the public still prefer to keep the monarchy over moving to an elected head of state.”

He added that the tension between declining importance and continued preference will shape debates about the monarchy’s future role.

Context of the latest poll

The 2024 NatCen survey was conducted between September 16 and October 27 with 4,120 adults across the United Kingdom.

For the first time, participants from Northern Ireland were included, although their numbers were too small to allow a separate analysis.

The findings were released ahead of the upcoming state visit of US President Donald Trump, who will be hosted by the King at Windsor Castle from September 17 to 19 with full ceremonial honors.