Queen Elizabeth still reigns supreme: Late monarch is the most popular royal in UK poll followed by Diana, the Waleses and Princess Anne - while King is fifth and Andrew comes last

By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER Published: 14:40, 16 April 2026 | Updated: 14:58, 16 April 2026 She selflessly served as sovereign for 70 years and 214 days. And today, more than three years after her death, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II remains Britain's most popular royal. The late monarch, who died aged 96 in September 2022, is still viewed positively by three out of four Britons (81 per cent) - higher than any of her living relatives. Polling carried out by YouGov ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday next week, April 21, also shows that 84 per cent believe she did a good job as Queen. Showing her legacy lives on with the British people, and despite the scandal surrounding her son Andrew and years of transatlantic potshots from Harry and Meghan, support for the monarchy among Britons is strong at 64 per cent. Like the late Queen, Princess Diana also remains very popular among the British public, with 77 per cent of Britons having a positive view including 41 per cent who are 'very positive'. She is followed closely by her eldest son Prince William, his wife the Princess of Wales and Princess Anne.  King Charles is himself is popular with 60 per cent of Britons, which is unchanged since the last YouGov royal popularity poll. At the other end of the scale is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who comes dead last, with just three per cent holding a positive view of the former prince.  Around 93% of Britons have a negative view of the former Duke of York, including 85 per cent who have a 'very negative' view.  And Prince Harry, who was once as popular in Britain as Prince William, and wife Meghan Markle continue to be unpopular, with just 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively taking a favourable opinion of the Sussexes.  More than three years after her death, Queen Elizabeth II remains the most popular member of the royal family The Queen, Princess Diana, Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and King Charles are the most popular with Andrew Mountbatten Windsor dead last followed by Meghan and then Harry Most of the popularity ratings of the royals have remained stable or even risen - but Andrew, Meghan and Harry's have fallen off a cliff The polling shows continued respect for the late Queen Elizabeth II The Sussexes are looked upon more favourably by young Britons, compared to their elders. Only 19 per cent of over-65s have a positive view of Prince Harry, compared to 35 per cent of 18-24 year olds, and just 10 per cent of the oldest Britons feel favourably towards Meghan, compared to 31 per cent of their youngest counterparts. Harry's grandfather Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, like his wife the Queen, retains a positive view among most Britons, although at the lower rate of 54 per cent.  The new YouGov poll shows that one in three (34%) have a negative view of the reigning monarch, King Charles III.  Attitudes towards King Charles' performance as monarch largely mirror attitudes towards him in general, with 61% saying he is doing well.  However, fewer Britons say he is doing a bad job as king (20%). Almost half of all Britons (49%) are 'proud' of the institution and 59 per cent of people think the monarchy is good for the UK with just 15 per cent believing it is 'bad for Britain' - although this is up to 39 per cent among younger Brits under the age of 25.  More generally attitudes towards the Royal Family and monarchy as a whole remain mostly positive, with nearly six in ten Britons (57-59%) seeing the royal family in general and the institution of the monarchy in a favourable light, though a third (34-36%) see both negatively. Overall, there's little desire to see the monarchy come to an end, with 64 per cent of Britons believing the UK should continue to be a Kingdom, consistent with the 61-67% who have felt so throughout Charles's reign.  Around a quarter of the public (24%), though, would rather the UK had an elected head of state instead. Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pose for a selfie photo at the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne. They are more popular with young people in the UK than older generations The views of Briton on its royals was releases a Harry and Meghan's controversial tour of Australia continues. Today the Duke of Sussex declared that he never wanted to be a working royal because it 'killed' his mother. Speaking at the $1,000-a-head InterEdge Summit in Melbourne Park, Harry said he had felt 'lost, betrayed, or completely powerless' during his life. The Duke claimed he had his 'head in the sand for years and years' until he quit his role as a working royal and moved to the US with Meghan, suggesting that it is also what his mother Princess Diana would have wanted for him. 'After my mum died just before my 13th birthday I was like: "I don't want this job. I don't want this role wherever this is headed, I don't like it," he said. 'It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years. Eventually I realised – well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world? 'And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective.'  Earlier in the day the couple spoke to students at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology about the dangers of social media and its impact on mental health, urging them to be 'strong'. 'And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way,' Meghan said. She added: 'For now, ten years, every day for ten years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.'  The outpouring came shortly after her protective husband looked annoyed after her path was blocked by a reporter asking for a selfie on Melbourne's famous Scar Tree Walk. The couple had been attending an event honouring Aboriginal culture when the TV presenter asked for a picture with Harry. Prince Harry left Melbourne after giving an emotional speech to a summit of business leaders, worth $997 per ticket, admitting he never wanted to be a working royal because it 'killed' his mum Meghan meets students at Swinburne University of Technology, where she told students she was the most 'trolled person in the entire world' During the same university group discussion, Harry said Australia's ban on under-16s using social media was 'epic' from a 'responsibility and leadership standpoint'.  He then went on to make remarks about himself at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne on 'leadership, psychosocial safety and human connection in the workplace', with the Duchess of Sussex watching on in the audience.  The Duke told those present in the Centrepiece conference venue that there was a 'lot in the world right now leaving us feeling anxious, stressed, helpless, powerless and completely overwhelmed'. Wearing a jacket and white shirt, Harry said: 'When I was invited to speak at this summit, I wasn't sure whether I was expected to speak as someone who, despite everything, has their s*** together. 'Or as someone who, despite what it may look like, actually doesn't have his s*** together. 'But I was struck by something quite simple - that while my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not. 'In my experience, loss is disorienting at any age. 'Grief does not disappear because we ignore it. Experiencing that as a kid while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance, yes, that will have its challenges. And without purpose, it can break you.' Prince Harry looked annoyed when a reporter asked for a selfie as they left Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne, getting in Meghan's way Harry continued: 'There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed. 'Times when I've felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless. 'Times when the pressure - externally and internally - felt constant. 'And times when, despite everything going on, I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down. 'For many years I was numb to it, and perhaps that was easier then, but I also didn't yet have the tools to deal with it.' The Duke said becoming a father changed his approach because you 'start to notice the ripple effect more clearly'. He added: 'When a parent is overwhelmed, children feel it. When someone is supported, families feel it. 'For me, one of the biggest shifts came when I realised that asking for help isn't a weakness. It's very much a form of strength.' After the speech Harry took part in a discussion with Australian business leader Brendan Nelson where he admitted he didn't want to be a working royal after his mother died, claiming it 'killed her'. A profile of Harry on the summit’s website said that he has 'dedicated his life to service and uplifting communities, while emphasising the importance of our collective mental health in his philanthropic and advocacy work globally'. The Duke also discussed regional differences in mental health support with the young people, telling them: 'I'm not a city person, my mental health could not stand living in a city – no way.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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