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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Steph Brawn

Poll shows just a third of Brits think King Charles is important

A FRESH poll has suggested only a third of Brits feel King Charles is important to the UK ahead of his coronation on Saturday.

The Ipsos poll also showed fewer than that (29%) believe he is “hard-working” while just 25% say he is “highly respected”.

Just one in five said King Charles is “intelligent” while a mere 19% said he was “concerned about people in real need”.

The poll questioned 1079 adults about their opinions on the monarch and the royal family between March 31 and April 1.

Almost half of those quizzed believe the royals are out of touch with the general public (47%), while just 33% said they disagreed with that notion.

The Scottish Greens – who believe in an independent Scottish republic – said the figures were “of little shock” considering the gulf between those battling with poverty and the hefty privileges the monarchy enjoy.

A party spokesperson said: “This latest poll showing fewer than a third of people now believe Charles to be important to the nation is another clear sign the royal family’s time is almost up. 

“The fact that almost half, likely more in Scotland, believe him to be out of touch is also of little shock.

“After all, the gulf between those benefiting from a hereditary privilege and those struggling through a cost of living crisis couldn’t be more stark. 

“Scotland can be a modern and democratic republic with an elected and accountable head of state. We can be a fairer, greener country where power and sovereignty lies with the people and where the public wealth held by the crown, from land to palaces, is used for community benefit.

“Independent countries all across the Commonwealth are reconsidering their relationship with monarchy. The Scottish Greens believe it is time for us to do the same.”

It comes after an Ipsos poll last week showed around half of Brits (49%) think Charles is doing a good job as King – the lowest proportion since he became King last September. In December, 61% believed he was doing a good job.

On the back of the latest poll, campaign group Our Republic said: "This weekend Charles will demand the public swear allegiance to him, his heirs and his successors.

"The days of blindly pledging allegiance to a monarch are reminiscent of the feudal age not the 21st century.

"We expect the public to see through this façade and for the monarchy's reputation to further decline.

"As the cost of his coronation is coming to light people are genuinely worrying about food bills and energy prices.

"It's incredibly out of touch to splash £250m of public money on a gold-trimmed coronation."

A call from organisers of the coronation for the public to swear allegiance to King Charles has prompted widespread negative reaction across the UK and Scotland.

Campaign group Republic said it was a  "tone deaf" request while social media has been awash with people mocking the Homage of the People - an addition to the ancient ceremony.

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