Despite Charles III’s recent cancer diagnosis, which has garnered significant sympathy throughout the United Kingdom, British republicans assert their determination to continue their fight against the monarchy. While opponents of the constitutional monarchy are in the minority, the death of Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the subsequent ascension of the less popular Charles III has given them increased visibility.
The Republic movement, which advocates for an elected head of state, claims that it has grown significantly over the past year, attracting many new supporters. This momentum, they argue, will not be halted by the news of the 75-year-old monarch’s cancer diagnosis. “We are sensitive to the fact that he has cancer, but our issue is with the institution, not the individual,” says Graham Smith, president of Republic.
Smith believes that the intense media coverage surrounding the royal family, whether it involves births, deaths, marriages, or coronations, only strengthens his arguments against the monarchy. He argues that the more the British public sees of the royal family, the less they like what they see.
The Campaign for a Republic
Following the death of Elizabeth II, the Republicans have launched a major campaign. Their demonstration, which was suppressed during the coronation of Carlos III last May, garnered them additional support. Smith and five other activists were arrested prior to the demonstration, leading to widespread criticism of the London police and a lawsuit brought by Republic.
The group claims to have experienced significant growth, as evidenced by their collection of 600,000 pounds ($754,000) in 2023, a figure more than double that of 2022 and almost six times greater than in 2021. “For years, royalists have claimed that the people support the monarchy, but it’s clear that this is no longer the case,” says Smith.
Is Support for the Monarchy Waning?
Smith points to two recent polls that indicate less than half of Britons support the monarchy, though they still prefer it over an elected head of state. However, Gideon Skinner, director of political research at the Ipsos institute in the UK, notes that there are some positives for the royal family. “People generally think King Charles is doing better than expected and the Prince and Princess of Wales remain very popular,” he says.
Skinner does acknowledge that younger people tend to feel disconnected from the monarchy and are more likely to support a republic. According to an Ipsos survey conducted in September, almost a quarter of people between the ages of 18 and 34 support an elected head of state, compared to 15% of those over the age of 55.
Smith believes that recent scandals, such as the sexual assault accusations against Prince Andrew, have further eroded support for the monarchy. He also notes that the public is increasingly concerned about the cost of the monarchy, particularly in light of the lavish coronation ceremony held last year during a period of high inflation.
