Canada divided on the monarchy; Prince Charles unlikely to be beloved should the Queen abdicate: Forum Poll

The Queen
Photo: Twitter

IN a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll amongst 1,150 Canadian voters, almost half of Canadians (43%) are opposed to abolishing the monarchy after the death of Queen Elizabeth, while (41%) are in favour, a statistical tie.

Just over one in 10 (16%) said they do not know. When Forum Poll last tested this question it saw just over four in 10 (43%: July 11, 2016) in favour of abolishing the Monarchy and four in ten (40%: July 11, 2016) opposed.

Respondents most likely to say they are opposed to the abolition of the monarchy include those aged 65+ (56%), the most wealthy (52%), living in the Atlantic provinces (54%), Ontario (53%), or the prairies (Manitoba / Saskatchewan) (55%), supporting the Liberal party (51%), and with a college / university degree (50%).

Respondents most likely to say they are in favour of the abolition of the monarchy include those aged 35-44 (49%) or 45-54 (47%), males (46%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (54%), living in Quebéc (71%), supporting the Bloc Quebécois (89%), and with a post-graduate degree (47%).

 

Opinion split on King Charles if Queen abdicates

 

Prince Charles and Camilla
Photo: Twitter

Canadians were also split on how they would feel if Prince Charles became king following Queen Elizabeth’s abdication. Just under four in 10 (37%) said they approved of Charles becoming king if Queen Elizabeth abdicated, with (17%) saying they strongly approve.

Just over a third (34%) say they disapprove, with (17%) saying they strongly disapprove. A quarter (25%) have no strong feeling either way, saying they neither approve nor disapprove, while a small proportion (4%) reported they do not know.

Respondents most likely to approve of Prince Charles assuming the throne include males (40%), the most wealthy (44%), and supporting the Conservatives (39%) or Liberals (41%).

Respondents most likely to disapprove of Prince Charles assuming the throne include those aged 45-54 (39%) or 55-64 (40%), living in Quebéc (36%), the prairies (Manitoba / Saskatchewan) (37%), or Alberta (38%), supporting the NDP (45%), and with a post-graduate degree (41%).

 

Prince William, still most admired, but plurality still doesn’t admire royal family

 

Prince William and Kate Middleton in B.C. last year.
B.C. Government photo

Prince William, is the royal family’s most admired member, with the exception of the Queen, according to a quarter (26%) of Canadians. This support is statistically equivalent to when Forum Poll tested the question in September 2016, when he had the support of 25% of Canadians.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is admired by just under one sixth (16%) of Canadians, which is slightly lower than her previous support of two in 10 (September 2016: 20%).

Prince Harry is admired by just over one in 10 (14%), almost the same as in 2016 (September 2016: 13%). Prince Charles (5%), Prince Phillip (4%), Prince George (2%), and Princess Charlotte (2%) were admired by a much smaller proportion of Canadians.

The plurality, however, almost a third (30%), say they do not admire the royal family, similar to the proportion seen previously (September 2016: 29%).

“Canadians have been divided on the abolition of the monarchy for some time, and while the margins shift a few points up and down with each poll, it’s remained a divisive issue, with no side gaining traction,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research. “Many Canadians continue to support Queen Elizabeth but the same might not be said for her successor, Prince Charles, considering Prince William is the most admired royal family member.”