A fresh survey of British public opinion has laid bare the starkly differing fortunes within the Royal Family, revealing a clear hierarchy of popularity headed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, while two other senior figures have sunk to unprecedented lows.
The Firm's Favourites: Waleses Reign Supreme
According to the latest tracker poll from YouGov, Prince William maintains his position as the most favoured royal, viewed positively by 77% of the British public. His wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, follows closely behind with a robust 74% approval rating. The couple's enduring appeal appears largely unaffected by the turbulence that has surrounded other members of the family.
Positivity also remains steadfast for the ever-dependable Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, who commands a favourable opinion from 70% of Britons. King Charles III continues to enjoy substantial support, with six in ten (60%) holding a positive view of the monarch, roughly double the 31% who see him unfavourably. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, also garner approval from around half of the nation (50-51%).
Record Lows for the Sussexes and a Disgraced Duke
At the opposite end of the spectrum, public sentiment remains firmly negative towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry's ratings show little sign of recovery, with just 31% of Britons viewing him positively—a figure consistent with previous waves of the survey.
The data reveals a more dramatic slump for Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The American-born royal has received her lowest ever approval rating to date, with a mere 19% of the public holding a favourable view of her. This places her among the least popular figures in the poll's history.
Unsurprisingly, the survey delivered the most damning result for Prince Andrew. The disgraced Duke of York, embroiled in scandal for years over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, scored his lowest favourability rating ever. A staggering 97% of Britons view him negatively, with a minuscule 3% sharing a positive opinion.
Monarchy's Standing and a Tumultuous Year
Despite the intense scrutiny and controversies of the past year, the institution of the monarchy itself retains broadly positive support. Nearly six in ten Brits (57-59%) view the Royal Family in general, and the monarchy as an institution, in a favourable light. However, a persistent third of the population (33-34%) holds a negative view of both.
Furthermore, the poll indicates that 47% of Britons say they are outright proud of the British monarchy, compared to just 19% who feel outright embarrassed. A further 31% expressed no strong feeling either way.
The Royal Family endured a particularly eventful 2025, dominated by the fallout from the ongoing scandals surrounding Prince Andrew. The year saw a continuous stream of allegations related to his connections to Epstein, culminating in decisive action from the King. Following the publication of a posthumous memoir by Andrew's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and the US government's release of documents from Epstein's estate, King Charles moved to formally strip his brother of his HRH style and princely title. Andrew was also removed from the Roll of the Peerage and evicted from his long-term home, Royal Lodge at Windsor.
The YouGov poll suggests that while the actions of individual members can significantly impact their personal standing, the core of the modern monarchy—represented by the Waleses and the King—continues to command the loyalty and affection of a majority of the British public.
