It is 2026. The world has changed, but the balcony at Buckingham Palace looks pretty much the same. You've probably seen the headlines. One day the monarchy is "on its last legs," and the next, they’re the gold standard of global soft power. It’s enough to give you whiplash.
So, are the royals winning? Honestly, the answer depends entirely on who you ask and which data point you decide to stare at. If you’re looking at the raw popularity of individual royals like William and Catherine, they’re crushing it. But if you look at the long-term trend of "importance" among the younger generations, the picture gets a bit more complicated.
The Popularity Paradox
If the British Monarchy were a brand on the stock exchange, the "Prince and Princess of Wales" stock would be a "Strong Buy." According to recent YouGov data from late 2025 and early 2026, Prince William is sitting pretty with a 74% to 76% favorability rating. His wife, Catherine, isn't far behind at 71% to 73%. These aren't just good numbers for a royal; they’re numbers any politician would sell their soul for.
But here’s the kicker. While the individuals are liked, the institution is feeling the heat.
The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) dropped a bit of a bombshell recently. Their British Social Attitudes survey showed that support for the monarchy has hit its lowest level since they started keeping records in 1983. Back then, 86% of people thought it was important to keep the monarchy. Now? It’s hovering around 51%.
Basically, people love the players, but they’re starting to question the rules of the game.
King Charles and the Transparency Trap
King Charles III has had a wild ride since taking the throne. He’s managed to hold onto a majority support—about 62% according to Statista—which is a decent "B" grade for a guy who had to follow an icon like Queen Elizabeth II.
He’s winning in one specific area: relatability. By being open about his cancer diagnosis and treatment, he did something the late Queen rarely did—he let the mask slip. This "humanizing" of the Crown has actually helped his personal ratings. People like a King who deals with the same stuff they do.
👉 See also: Jaden Newman Leaked OnlyFans: What Most People Get Wrong
However, there's a flip side. As the King gets more transparent about his health, the public is starting to demand transparency everywhere else. People are looking at the Sovereign Grant—which jumped to £132.1 million for 2025/26—and they’re asking questions. With the UK government struggling to balance books, a nine-figure bill for the royals is a tough sell for some.
Anna Whitelock, a professor of the history of modern monarchy, argues that "reverence" is basically dead. In 2026, the royals aren't winning because people think they’re divinely appointed. They’re winning because they provide a sense of stability in a chaotic world. But that stability comes with a price tag that is being scrutinized more than ever before.
The Gen Z Divide
Let’s talk about the kids. Or rather, the 18-to-24-year-olds.
This is where the "Are the royals winning?" question gets a "No" from the jury. Only about 36% of young Britons think the monarchy is good for the country. To them, the whole thing can feel a bit like an expensive period drama that never ends.
They don't have the same emotional attachment to the institution that their grandparents do. For the over-65s, support is a massive 77% to 81%. It’s a literal generational tug-of-war.
The "Other" Royals: Sussexes and the Andrew Problem
You can't talk about whether the royals are winning without mentioning the ones who aren't currently "in the tent."
- Prince Harry and Meghan: They’re in a strange spot. Their popularity in the UK remains low—Harry is at about 30% and Meghan is at 20-21%. Yet, they remain massive global celebrities. 2026 is being touted as a "turning point" for them, with rumors of professional splits and a renewed focus on philanthropy through Archewell.
- Prince Andrew: This is the anchor dragging the ship down. His favorability is at a record low of 4% to 5%. Recent revelations and his agreement to stop using the "Duke of York" title in most contexts have kept him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The King's handling of Andrew is a major metric for his success. About 40% of the public thinks he’s handled it well, while 32% think he’s dropped the ball. It’s a delicate balance of family loyalty versus institutional survival.
✨ Don't miss: The Fifth Wheel Kim Kardashian: What Really Happened with the Netflix Comedy
Soft Power and the 2026 "Victory" Lap
Despite the internal drama, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for royal "wins" on the global stage.
Think about this: The King and Queen are rumored to be heading to the US in April 2026 for the 250th anniversary of American independence. That’s a massive soft power play.
Then you’ve got Prince William potentially heading to the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He’s the Patron of the Football Association, and a "football diplomacy" trip with Prince George (who turns 13 this July) is exactly the kind of PR win the palace dreams of. It makes them look modern, sporty, and connected.
Why the Royals Might Still Be "Winning"
If you look at the big picture, the royals are winning because there isn't a better alternative that the public can agree on.
When asked to choose between the monarchy and an elected head of state, the monarchy still wins (62% to 25% in recent YouGov polls). People might be annoyed by the cost or the secrecy, but the idea of "President Keir Starmer" or "President Boris Johnson" (or whoever the political flavor of the month is) doesn't exactly set hearts on fire.
The royals occupy a space that is above the muck of party politics. That’s their "moat."
Real Evidence of the Win
- Stability: In 2025 and 2026, amid global tensions and economic shifts, the monarchy provides a continuous thread of British identity.
- The "Kate Effect": Catherine’s return to full duties has been a massive boost. She is consistently the most popular living royal, and her focus on early childhood development gives the family a "purpose" beyond just cutting ribbons.
- The George Factor: Prince George’s transition to secondary school (likely Eton or Marlborough) in late 2026 is already being tracked by the public. The "next generation" story is a powerful one that keeps people invested.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think the monarchy is one bad headline away from collapse. It’s not. It’s a 1,000-year-old institution that specializes in survival.
🔗 Read more: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
They don't win by being perfect. They win by being there.
They are experts at "slow-motion change." They wait for the public to move, and then they slowly shift their position to match. We’re seeing it now with the move toward more transparency and the "slimming down" of the working family.
Are the Royals Winning? The Verdict for 2026
They are winning the battle of personalities, but they are slowly losing the battle of necessity. To keep "winning," they have to prove they are worth the money and the privilege in a world that is increasingly skeptical of both.
If you want to track this yourself, stop looking at the tabloids and start looking at these three things:
- The Sovereign Grant Scrutiny: Watch how the palace responds to calls for more financial transparency this year. If they open the books, they win over the skeptics.
- The Youth Engagement: See if William and Catherine can find a way to connect with Gen Z that doesn't feel like "cringe" corporate outreach.
- The Commonwealth: 2026 will be a test of whether the King can maintain the UK's influence in the Commonwealth as more nations consider becoming republics.
The monarchy isn't going anywhere tomorrow. But the "win" is no longer guaranteed. It has to be earned, every single day, one handshake and one transparent financial report at a time.
To keep a pulse on the situation, you should follow the quarterly YouGov Royal Favourability trackers, as these provide the most accurate "temperature check" of the British public's mood. Additionally, keep an eye on the official Sovereign Grant reports released in June; they are the best way to see exactly how the "value for money" argument is being managed by the Palace.