Prince William Overtakes Kate Middleton as Most Popular Royal in New Poll

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate Middleton has become one of the most admired members of the British royal family, often compared to the late Princess Diana, who long held the crown as the most popular royal. Until recently, Kate herself topped the rankings — but a new YouGov poll shows that for the first time in years, Prince William has taken the lead.

The February 2025 survey finds 74% of Britons now hold a favourable view of William. Broader attitudes toward the monarchy remain positive, with 59% saying the institution benefits Britain, 54% calling it good value for money, and 47% expressing pride in it.

William’s enduring appeal began in his youth under Diana’s global spotlight, later bolstered by his 2011 wedding to Kate. Recently, his solo fulfilment of royal duties during Kate’s health challenges has shown a more personal and vulnerable side, likely boosting his public standing.

Princess Anne remains in third place, praised for her steadfast work ethic and service. Last year, she took on extra engagements to allow King Charles III to recover from cancer treatment. “She’s low-key, self-effacing, and very committed,” Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children, told Hello! magazine.