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Fact check: How many people in UK support continuation of the monarchy
Executive Summary
A September 11, 2025 National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) poll reports that 51% of Britons say it is “very important” or “quite important” to continue having a monarchy, while 58% prefer keeping the monarchy over an elected head of state, marking the lowest recorded level of expressed importance for the institution [1] [2] [3]. Other trackers from August 2025 show higher favourability and continuity preferences — for example, a royal favourability tracker reported 65% saying the UK should continue to have a monarchy, highlighting differing results across surveys and question wording [4].
1. Why the numbers diverge — headline figures that prompt questions
Two survey results from late summer 2025 sit side by side and give different snapshots. The NatCen headline — 51% saying continuation is important and 58% preferring the monarchy over an elected head of state — comes from a September 11, 2025 study that NatCen frames as the lowest level of recorded importance [1] [2] [3]. By contrast, an August 2025 favourability tracker reported 65% wanting the monarchy to continue and 58% holding a positive institutional view [4]. Both figures are factual within their own surveys, but they measure distinct attitudes: perceived importance versus simple preference or favourability, which affects comparability.
2. How question wording and measurement change outcomes
Survey design explains much of the gap: “important to continue having a monarchy” is a normative measure about institutional significance, while “prefer retaining the monarchy over an elected head of state” forces a binary constitutional choice and often yields higher retention numbers [1] [2]. The August tracker’s 65% figure appears to measure a direct yes/no on continuation or a simple favourability prompt, which typically produces higher affirmative responses than importance scales [4]. These methodological distinctions are crucial when interpreting whether support is eroding or simply reframed by question type.
3. Recent trajectory: decline in importance, mixed signals on preference
NatCen’s analysis emphasizes a decline in the perceived importance of the monarchy to the British public, describing it as the lowest level since records began [1] [2] [3]. Yet trackers from the previous month show a still-majority preference to keep the monarchy and a generally positive view of the royal family [4]. The combined picture is that while unconditional enthusiasm may be softening, a majority still prefer the monarchy to an elected alternative, at least in some measures, which complicates narratives of immediate constitutional change.
4. Who is shifting — age, politics and the generational divide
The NatCen reporting highlights sharp divides by age and political alignment, with younger cohorts and certain political groups less likely to say the monarchy is important [3]. This aligns with broader long-term trends documented by republican organisations and academic commentators who note generational shifts in deference to hereditary institutions [5] [6]. Demographic change implies that long-term support may weaken further, but short-term majorities on retention questions can persist because older cohorts remain comparatively supportive.
5. Context from republican movement and public debate
Republican groups and historical overviews note increased activism and public debate, especially around high-profile royal events, but their materials do not provide a single nationwide estimate and often emphasise trend narratives rather than neutral polling aggregates [7] [5] [6]. Activist and historical sources frame declining support as part of a broader republican argument, which can shape interpretation and media coverage. Combining neutral polls with movement perspectives illustrates both measured public attitudes and heightened political mobilisation.
6. What to watch next — polls, turnout and constitutional triggers
Future national polls and the exact questions they ask will determine whether the NatCen low-importance finding represents a durable shift or a short-term fluctuation [1] [2]. Key indicators to monitor include consistent time-series results on importance, binary retention preference, and demographic breakdowns, plus any political initiatives or referendums that could convert opinion into constitutional change. Media framing and activist campaigning can amplify perceptions, but legal and political thresholds for abolition are high and separate from public opinion snapshots.
7. Bottom line for the original question — how many support continuation
Answering “how many people in the UK support continuation of the monarchy” depends on which metric is used. By an importance metric, 51% in September 2025 said it was important that the UK continue to have a monarchy; by a preference or favourability metric, between 58% and 65% in August–September 2025 indicated retention or a positive view [1] [2] [3] [4]. Both sets of figures are correct within their methodologies, and the most accurate summary is that a majority currently prefers retention, even as the perceived importance of the institution has fallen to record lows.