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Poll: Growing Support For King Charles But A Thumbs Down to Queen Camilla |
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Written by Joanne Leyland
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Wednesday, 05 April 2006 |
A new poll released today suggests there is growing support for a King Charles but the reaction to a possible 'Queen Camilla' isn't quite so positive.
The Times survey, in which a sample of 1,503 adults over 18 were surveyed, shows that a majority of people wish Prince William to succeed to the throne instead of his father, the Prince of Wales. However, whilst William leads with 39% — the very same result as a 2005 poll — Prince Charles has seen a 6% rise in support for his succession to the throne, with 37% wanting him to be King.
However, of most concern must be the lack of rise in support for the Charles and Camilla union. An overwhelming majority of 64% say they don't care...surely a worrying result considering this couple are in line to be 'the future' (for however long or short Charles's reign) of the monarchy? This is also despite the much higher public profile enjoyed by Camilla, especially in recent weeks during her three nation tour with the Prince.
 Just 21% want to see a 'Queen Camilla', with 56% supporting the former Mrs Parker Bowles being known as the officially acknowledged title of Princess Consort on her husband's accession to the throne.
Camilla continues to face most opposition from women who likely continue to feel an allegiance to Diana, Princess of Wales.
The new poll reveals that 60% of women are against Camilla becoming Queen. In comparison, 53% of men are against a Queen Camilla.
In response to the findings of The Times/Populus poll, respected constitutional historian David Starkey told the newspaper: "There is no great hostility, a little bit of enthusiasm. The monarchy is the ancestor of New Labour {PM Tony Blair's political party}. It had an unbelievably powerful populist narrative for much of the 20th century as this model family, which carried all before them. The Queen is acting as a symbol for continuity, but no one knows what she is continuous with."
"People, by and large, have come to the conclusion that Charles is trying and the fact that he has shown himself to be a good father in the Diana mould has softened opinion towards him. However odd some of his interventions in public life may appear, they have turned out to be quite sensible and they are all well intentioned...public opinion is warming to Camilla as a woman. Yet for a significant proportion of women the Diana factor is an unbridgeable gulf. I happen to think they are mad for thinking that."
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Just 21% want to see a 'Queen Camilla', with 56% supporting the former Mrs Parker Bowles being known as the officially acknowledged title of Princess Consort on her husband's accession to the throne.
