'Prince William is more popular than The Queen'

THE Queen’s subjects in Britain and her two biggest overseas realms want to see Prince William succeed her instead of Prince Charles, according to an opinion poll.

By Richard Palmer Royal Correspondent, Royal Correspondent

Prince William is more popular than The Queen according to a new poll Prince William is more popular than The Queen according to a new poll

People in Australia, Britain and Canada find the prospect of William taking over the throne far more appealing than the notion of a King Charles, according to a major survey of 5,520 people across the three countries by the respected Angus Reid polling organisation.

Around half the public – 51 per cent of Britons, 52 per cent of Australians and 47 per cent of Canadians - want the succession to skip a generation and jump to William.

Conversely, only 31 per cent of Britons, 17 per cent of Canadians and 13 per cent of Australians would prefer to see Charles ascend the throne.

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Hopefully, the Queen will live for many years yet.

A senior royal aide

The weighted online poll also found that even in his grandmother’s Diamond Jubilee year, Prince William is more popular than the Queen, with approval ratings of 83 per cent in Australia, 82 per cent in Britain and 77 per cent in Canada.

He is the most popular member of the Royal Family, followed by his wife Kate with approval ratings of 79 per cent in Australia, 77 per cent in Briton and 73 per cent in Canada.

The Queen follows in third position with ratings of 75 per cent, 74 per cent and 71 per cent in the respective countries.Then come Prince Harry, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and finally Camilla among the most senior royals.

Charles gets a positive review from only 45 per cent of Britons, 34 per cent of Canadians and 33 per cent of Australians, while his wife is viewed favourably by only 31 per cent of Britons, 21 per cent of Canadians, and 16 per cent of Australians.

The results will cause concern at Clarence House, where courtiers are planning Charles and Camilla’s trip to Canada later this month and the couple’s first joint tour of Australia later this year.

Aides hope Australians will warm to Camilla’s down to earth style. A senior royal aide said: “Hopefully, the Queen will live for many years yet. We’ve always said that we believed people would warm to the Duchess as they got to meet her.”

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