British Social Attitudes survey records historic low in support for monarchy

The majority of the public supports the monarchy, with over half ( 54%) of people in Britain reported that it is ‘very’ or ‘quite important’ for Britain to have a monarchy, according to the most recent annual survey, conducted in autumn 2023.

This figure, published yesterday ( 29th April), is the lowest proportion to be recorded by the survey since the survey began in 1983, when 86% said that it was important for Britain to have a monarchy.

The survey asks respondents: “How important or unimportant do you think it is for Britain to continue to have a monarchy...very important, quite important, not very important, not at all important, or do you think the monarchy should be abolished?”

There has been a decline in support for the monarchy over the past decade, according to the BSA survey, with a temporary reversal recorded after the death of HM The Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

Gillian Prior, deputy chief executive at the National Centre for Social Research, adds: “NatCen has been collecting data on the public’s attitudes towards the monarchy for over 40 years, and it is clear we are observing a downward trend in support for the monarchy. Although the majority of the public still supports the monarchy, our latest British Social Attitudes survey shows the highest percentage yet, with 16% saying the monarchy should be abolished.

“Support for the monarchy continues to be higher among older people than younger, although the gap has narrowed. There is a continuing challenge for the monarchy to maintain favourability with the British public of all ages.”

The 2023 BSA survey consisted of 5,578 interviews with a representative, random sample of adults in Britain and was conducted between 12th September and 31st October 2023.