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A ComRes/ ITV News poll shows public support for monarchy but 70% do not care about the Royal Wedding

A poll conducted by ComRes and to be broadcast on ITV News at Ten, shows three quarters (70%) of the population either don’t care or are not excited about the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

However, 64% think the Royal Wedding will be good for the UK economy and 75% think it contributes to the UK’s reputation as a country with its own distinct character. A vast majority, fully 80%, agree that the Queen should be making a big contribution to the cost of the event, considering the current economic situation.

People’s intentions on the Wedding day itself are divided.  One in three (28%) say they will make a deliberate effort to avoid the Royal Wedding on 29th April but 38% (approximately 18 million) say they intend to watch it live on television. Just under one in ten (9%) will take part in a Royal Wedding street party or celebration on the day – equivalent to around 4.4 million people.

When asked about general attitudes towards the Monarchy, 62% think that both the Royal Wedding and the Monarchy are good for Britain.

71% agree that the Monarchy is good for Britain’s reputation worldwide and 59% think Britain is better off as a Monarchy than a Republic (only 15% disagree). While one in three (34%) agree that the monarchy is an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, 50% disagree with this statement.

The findings of this poll will be broadcast on ITV News at Ten on Thursday 21st April and more information will be available here: http://www.itv.com/news.

ComRes interviewed 2005 GB adults online between 19th and 20th April 2011. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults.  ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.