Britons view Prince Andrew as most unpopular royal

A new YouGov survey shows Prince Andrew remains the country’s least-liked royal amid a week of controversy.

Britons rate Prince Andrew most unpopular royal in YouGov poll

Prince Andrew remains the most unpopular royal in the country, with 87 percent of people viewing him negatively and only 5 percent expressing a favourable view. Prince Harry is seen positively by 28 percent while Meghan sits at 20 percent. William leads with 74 percent positive, Kate at 71 percent, and Princess Anne at 70 percent. The results reveal a generational gap: only 36 percent of 18 to 24 year olds think the monarchy is good for the country, compared with 81 percent of those over 65. Across the public, around six in ten Britons view the royal family positively and see value in the monarchy, while about 30 percent hold negative opinions of the ruling family.

The poll also notes substantial approval of the monarchy as an institution, but younger voters appear less convinced about its relevance. In a separate development this week, a Charity Commission report into a dispute at Sentebale adds another reputational challenge for Prince Andrew. The survey involved 2,292 adults in Great Britain, with about 3,000 people approached, and was conducted on August 5 and 6.

The numbers underscore a persistent and widening generational divide in royal sentiment. While the institution remains broadly supported, the appeal of specific members, especially Prince Andrew, has clearly deteriorated in the eyes of younger Britons. The persistence of negative perceptions around Meghan and Harry, even as their sister-in-law remains relatively popular, suggests a complex image where modernization and tradition clash in public mindshare. The Royal Family faces a reputational test that goes beyond ceremonies, touching on accountability, media narratives, and how the crown is framed in a digital age. The Charity Commission development adds policy-like scrutiny to a week already heavy with biography dramas, reminding readers that the monarchy operates in a web of public expectations, legal questions, and media scrutiny.

Highlights

Public trust is a living thing that changes with time and tone.