Throughout the long history of the United Kingdom, many monarchs have reigned. In 2022, Charles III ascended the throne at the age of 76, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022). However, when it comes to popularity rankings, he lags behind her and several former monarchs.
The market research and opinion institute YouGov conducted a survey in the UK to determine the most beloved ruler. To do this, they subtracted the percentage of respondents with a negative view of the monarch from the percentage of those with a positive view. According to the survey, Queen Elizabeth II is the most beloved monarch, with a net approval score of 74.
Queen Victoria (1819–1901), who also held the position for a long time, trails by 24 points. George VI (1895–1952), who reigned from 1936 to 1952, rounds out the top three. Following them, in descending order of popularity, are Elizabeth I (1533–1603), George V (1865–1936), and Richard I (1157–1199). Only after these does King Charles III appear, securing the seventh spot with a score of 27.
However, if the list were based solely on approval ratings, he would rank third, after Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria. The survey also reveals that Charles is a divisive figure: 58 percent of respondents view him favorably, while 31 percent have a negative opinion of him.
By August 2024, the British public’s perception of Charles had slightly improved. According to YouGov data, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) viewed him positively, while 29 percent had a negative opinion. Among the current members of the royal family, Prince William (42) and his wife, Princess Kate (43), are the most beloved, winning the favor of approximately 75 percent of those surveyed. Overall, the royal couple remains among the most popular figures within the British monarchy.
