While the British royal family has long been a source of fascination for Americans, that doesn't mean they're all universally loved — some may even be loathed. A YouGov survey suggests Americans love some royals — and love to hate some others.
No surprise here: Princess Diana remains the most popular royal even 26 years after her tragic death in Paris. A hefty 38% of Americans have a very favorable impression of Diana, and another 26% say their impression is somewhat favorable. Her memory lives on in what seems like an endless stream of TV and movie portrayals. Most recently, Kristin Stewart secured a best-actress Oscar nod for portraying Diana in “Spencer.”
It's been almost a year since her death, but Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was a decisive No. 2 in the hearts of Americans, with 28% saying their impression is very favorable, and 33% somewhat favorable. Before she passed away, the 96-year-old queen recovered from a case of COVID-19 that forced her to cancel several engagements, but appeared well during her Platinum Jubilee celebration, four days of pomp and circumstance to mark her 70 years on the throne.
Kate Middleton, a regular gal who married her college sweetheart (who just happened to be Prince William) rates relatively well with Americans:20% have a very favorable impression of her, while 30% say their impression is somewhat favorable. Kate has become a full-blown fashion icon, with breathless coverage of everything from her iconic wedding dress to her day-to-day clothing. It's likely she has won over more hearts thanks to her recent cancer diagnosis.
Prince William is close behind his wife, earning a very favorable impression from19% of Americans and a somewhat favorable impression from 32%. William, of course, is first in line to the throne, and William's first-born son, Prince George, is now second in line.
Though the same percentage of Americans, 19%, have a very favorable impression of Harry, a smaller percentage, 28%, say their impression is somewhat favorable. Granted, Prince Harry has made some waves lately, resigning as a working member of the royal family in early 2021 after intense media scrutiny of his marriage to Meghan Markle.
Being American has gotten Meghan only so far in the hearts of her countrymen and women: 18% have a very favorable impression, and 25% have a somewhat favorable impression. Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah, during which they described relentless criticism from British tabloids and racism within the royal family, drew 17.1 million viewers. Meghan is also among the most polarizing royal figures, with 21% of Americans saying they have a very unfavorable impression, while 13% view her somewhat unfavorably. In an interview with The Cut, Meghan detailed the lengths she went to try and fit into the royal family and believes there's room for forgiveness between her and members of the family.
Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter earns a very favorable impression from 10%of Americans, and a somewhat favorable one from 23%. She attracted a bit more attention stateside after she was portrayed in episodes of Netflix’s “The Crown.” Though she was second in line to the throne when she was born, she has fallen to 16th today.
Perhaps the least well-known royal on this list, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth’s youngest child, earns a very favorable impression from 8% of Americans and a somewhat favorable impression from 22%. But 52% say they simply don’t know enough about him to decide either way.
It’s telling that only 7% of Americans have a very favorable impression of the king, while 25% claim a somewhat favorable impression. The numbers are a lot more resolute on the other side of the scale: 19% of Americans have a very unfavorable impression. Perhaps most stinging for the former Prince of Wales: 30% of Americans say they would rather Charles’ son, Prince William, become king instead, while just 17% say Charles is the rightful king. His cancer diagnosis might tilt the scales, but it has been largely overshadowed by a similar diagnosis in Princess Catherine.
Only 6% of Americans have a very favorable impression of Prince Andrew, while 16% have a somewhat favorable impression. Compare that to 35% and 14% with a very unfavorable and somewhat unfavorable impression, respectively. Undoubtedly affecting the numbers: Allegations that Prince Andrew sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking victims, when she was 17. The case resulted in a confidential settlement, and Prince Andrew has been stripped of his public duties and military titles.
Despite Prince Andrew’s massive scandal, it is Charles’ wife, Camilla, who earns the title of least popular royal, at least where Americans are concerned. Only 5% have a very favorable impression of her, while 21% have a somewhat favorable impression; a combined 46% have a very unfavorable or somewhat unfavorable impression. Still blamed by many for the divorce of Charles and Princess Diana, Camilla is known as Queen Camilla rather than Queen Consort now that Charles has ascended to the throne.