Public back a reformed monarchy

3 May 2023

The Constitution Society commissioned a poll into attitudes to the Monarchy.

The poll asked whether respondents various questions about the Monarchy and its constitutional role.

Headline Results

The public felt overall

• A plurality is in favour of the monarch continuing to be a member of the Church of England
• Opinion is divided on whether the monarchy should be subject to parliamentary questions and freedom of information requests
• A clear majority for the monarchy's finances being more public
• A plurality against the monarch having the chance to change laws affecting royal finances
• A majority against public funds being used to support minor royals
• A majority in favour of keeping the monarchy
• A plurality in favour of reforming the monarchy

For various demographics,

• Older people are more supportive of the monarchy than younger people
• Women are more supportive than men
• Those who voted 'Leave' are more supportive than those who chose 'Remain'
• Conservative voters are more supportive than Labour voters, with Liberal Democrats in between.

Technical Details

Find Out Now interviewed 2,211 GB adults online from 24-25 April 2023. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults by gender, age, social grade, other demographics and past voting patterns.

Full details are given in the tables (download Excel workbook).

Find Out Now and Electoral Calculus are both members of the British Polling Council and abide by its rules.

Appendix – Questions

The questions asked were:

Q1. By law, only a member of the Church of England can become King or Queen. This means that people of other religions or atheists cannot become the monarch. Do you think this is a good or bad law? Answers: Very good; Good; Neither good nor bad; Bad; Very bad; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q2. The King or Queen is protected from some types of scrutiny, such as debate and questions in parliament or freedom of information requests. Do you think this protection is a good idea or a bad idea? Answers: Very good idea; Good idea; Neither good nor bad; Bad idea; Very bad idea; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q3. Do you agree or disagree that information on the royal family's finances, including estates such as the Duchy of Cornwall, should be publicly available and clearly presented? Answers: Agree strongly; Agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Disagree; Disagree strongly; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q4. The reigning King (or Queen) has the opportunity to change proposed laws affecting royal finances before they are introduced to Parliament. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Answers: Very good idea; Good idea; Neither good nor bad; Bad idea; Very bad idea; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q5. Some members of the wider royal family, beyond the King, his wife and the Prince of Wales, are supported at public expense. Do you agree or Disagree with this use of money to support minor royals? Answers: Agree strongly; Agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Disagree; Disagree strongly; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q6. Do you believe that Britain should continue as a monarchy, or abolish the monarchy and become a republic? Answers: Keep the monarchy; Abolish the monarchy; Don't know; Prefer not to say

Q7. If Britain keeps the monarchy do you believe it should be reformed, or should it stay as it is? Answers: The monarchy should stay as it is; The monarchy should be reformed; Don't know; Prefer not to say