For the first time more people under 45 would prefer an elected head of state than a monarch. A recent Savanta poll shows that 42% of those under 45 now prefer an elected head of state with 39% preferring a monarchy.
 
In November the same poll put the monarchy 3 points ahead among the under 45s. Today a republic is 3 points ahead.
 
Overall support for the monarchy remains a long way down from ten years ago, at around the fifty percent mark. Today's figures show the monarchy is being propped up by the over-55s.
 
Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today:
 
"Support for the monarchy is falling fast. And it's no wonder, with fresh allegations made against Andrew in January and saturation coverage of royal health stories all while most people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis."
 
"This isn't just young people, this is adults well into their careers, people who have no interest in the monarchy and who are increasingly looking at the alternative."
 
"With support falling so sharply it is clearly time for a proper, robust and honest debate on the monarchy's future."
 
"The current problems facing the royals will only serve to push people away from the monarchy. The implication of media coverage, that the health of billionaires with access to the best treatment is more newsworthy than the crisis in the NHS, and the drastic reduction in royal engagements will only raise more questions about the monarchy's values, and whether this is a value-for-money monarchy."
 
"The country is facing numerous problems at the moment, yet with the royals we increasingly see a workshy, entitled group of people who are apparently beyond the reach of the law."
 
"It's no wonder those who haven't learned a long habit of looking up to the monarchy are increasingly turning away from it."

Methodology: Savanta interviewed 2,256 UK adults aged 18+ online between 1st and 4th March 2024. Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade.
 
See the polling data