Britons want Prince William and his new fiancee Kate Middleton to be Britain’s next king and queen, instead of the current heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, polls showed yesterday.
The surveys come just a day after Charles said that Camilla could become queen one day, reopening a sensitive debate over the role of the woman he married eight years after the death of his ex-wife Diana, Princess of Wales.
The News of the World newspaper published an ICM survey of 2,015 people showing that 55 percent would like William to bypass his father Charles and ascend directly to the throne when Queen Elizabeth II dies.
PHOTO: AFP
BETTER PROSPECTS
The survey also found that 64 percent believed William and Kate would be better for the long-term prospects of the monarchy, against Charles and Camilla on just 19 percent.
A separate OnePoll survey for the People newspaper of 2,000 respondents found that 49 percent of people wanted William and his bride-to-be on the throne, while only 16 percent opted for Charles and Camilla.
William and Kate, both 28, announced on Tuesday that they would marry in London in spring or summer next year. The date and venue have not been finalized, but there is speculation they may emerge this week.
STEP ASIDE
On Saturday, a Harris poll for the Daily Mail newspaper showed 48 percent of people said Charles should be prepared to step aside to let his eldest son with the late Diana become the next monarch. It surveyed 1,008 people.
In Britain’s largely symbolic monarchy the succession passes through the eldest male heir where possible.
Queen Elizabeth II, aged 84, is the world’s second-longest reigning living monarch after Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
INTERVIEW RESPONSE
In an interview with US network NBC filmed in August, but broadcast on Friday, Charles, 62, said he preferred not to think about becoming king as it would mean his mother would have to die first.
However, when asked if Camilla would become queen if and when he accedes the throne, Charles said: “Well, we’ll see won’t we? But, that could be.”
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