70% of youngsters back royal family

12 April 2012

Most young people would keep the monarchy, despite over half of them saying that the Royals do not provide value for money, according to a new study.

Nearly 70% of 18 to 24-year-olds would keep the Royals and overall only 16% of people would vote for a republic.

The poll of 1,004 people, commissioned by Discovery Channel, also found that Prince William was voted as the top choice for the next monarch.

The Prince was most popular among the 18 to 24 year-olds, with 70% wanting William to rule. But despite the Queen being the oldest monarch on the throne, 81% of those questioned did not want her to step down.

William's girlfriend Kate Middleton received a boost from the polls. Over 80% thought that she would be a good addition to the Royal Family.

But William's stepmother Camilla received less support from the public - less than half of the country saying she was a good ambassador for the Royal Family. Her approval rating was increasing, however - under a third of people questioned said they felt more warmly towards her since her marriage to the Prince of Wales.

Almost 70% of people said they still had more admiration for Diana than Charles's new wife.

Former Royal correspondent Jennie Bond said: "Camilla is still facing an uphill struggle for public acceptance. Diana - particularly with the inquest into her death - continues to make headline news and this poll reflects the fact that many people are unwilling ever to forgive or forget the hurt caused to the Princess.

"In my view, Camilla should be accepted for what she is: a loving, fun, happy second wife who makes her husband very contented.

"Support for retaining the monarchy remains fairly constant and, some will find, surprisingly high. Seventy-six per cent favour monarchy over republic. It is a high approval rate by any measure and is largely due to the constancy of the Queen's long reign. She should give herself a pat on the back for a job well done."

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