As the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday, an exclusive poll has revealed Australians prefer Prince William and even toddler Prince George to become our head of state.
Only 25 per cent are happy with Prince Charles as our future King – Australians say they think it is time we “cut ties” and his wife, Camilla, is also a sticking point.
The Australian Women’s Weekly commissioned OmniPoll to conduct an independent nationwide survey, and the results appear exclusively in the magazine’s May issue.
And despite where our political leaders currently stand, only 35 per cent of regular Australians want to sack the Queen and become a republic.
“From our survey, the Queen’s popularity is certainly in no doubt,” notes Acting Editor-in-Chief Juliet Rieden. “But the results are rough on Charles, who has a deep-seated personal relationship with Australia.
“Yet his image has never fully recovered from the tragic death of Diana. So, while it’s unlikely Charles will step aside, ultimately, it could be his son and grandson who secure his position.”
THE KING AND US – KEY FINDINGS
For the first time in history, Australia’s Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and all the state and territory premiers support a republic. According to the survey, however, only 35% of those questioned want to dismiss the Queen and declare Australia a republic. 39% are in favour of the status quo and 26% are undecided.
Support for a becoming a republic is weakest in Tasmania (18% for republic), while Queenslanders are keenest to lose the Queen (36% for republic).
Just 25% of respondents are in favour of Charles becoming our King and Head of State, while 49% prefer Prince William. Even toddler Prince George outpolls Charles with 32% happy to see the youngster as our Head of State in the future.
Of those unhappy with Prince Charles as our future Head of State, almost half (47%) felt it was time to cut ties with the monarchy after the Queen’s reign ends – while 30% of this group declared they didn’t want Camilla Parker-Bowles to be ‘Queen of Australia’.
While it’s no surprise that the older generation has a close affinity with the monarchy, only 23-percent of 18-to-24-year-olds supported a republic.
OmniPoll surveyed a cross section of more than 1,200 Australians over the age of 18 (with sample quotas for each state, city and regional areas, gender and age).
The Queen turns 90 on April 21. She has been on the cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly more than 60 times. The last time was in 1982. She is on the cover, along with Prince William and Prince George in the May issue, on sale Thursday April 14.
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