Prince William and Kate Middleton lose the crown as Britain’s most popular royals; Who has replaced them? The answer will surprise you

For a long time now, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been two of the most popular members of the British royal family. But new polling data suggests another royal has moved ahead of the future king and queen, highlighting how public affection for the monarchy can shift even when its most recognisable figures remain widely liked. Princess Anne, King Charles III’s sister, has emerged as Britain’s most popular royal in the third-quarter 2026 YouGov Ratings figures, overtaking William and Kate. The results offer a fresh look at the public standing of the royal family and the enduring appeal of a royal known for her low-key approach to public life.

Princess Anne Overtakes Prince William and Kate Middleton

According to YouGov Ratings’ third-quarter figures, Princess Anne received a positive opinion rating of 67%, compared with 64% for Catherine and 62% for Prince William. The ratings measure the proportion of respondents who hold a positive opinion of each royal. Anne’s score rose from 62% in the first quarter of 2026 to 67% in the third quarter. William and Kate, meanwhile, recorded lower positive ratings over the same period.

The figures do not mean the Prince and Princess of Wales have become unpopular. Both remain viewed positively by a majority of respondents. Instead, the latest data places Anne ahead in this particular measure of public opinion. YouGov updates its Ratings data quarterly, drawing on responses collected over time. Its figures should be distinguished from separate surveys that ask people whether they approve of the monarchy or believe individual royals are doing a good job.

Why Princess Anne Continues To Attract Public Respect

Princess Anne, 76, has spent decades carrying out royal engagements while maintaining a reputation for a practical, work-focused approach to her duties. She is known for her extensive schedule of public appearances and support for hundreds of charitable organisations. She has a long association with Save the Children, which she led as president from 1970 to 2017. Anne has also competed for Britain on the international stage and has championed causes from sport to health and community welfare. She has taken a different approach to the more media-driven focus that tends to surround younger members of the royal family. The latest ratings show that interest in the monarchy is more than simply the direct line of succession.

Prince William And Kate Remain Popular

Despite falling behind Anne in the latest figures, William and Kate continue to command substantial public support. YouGov’s separate royal-family favourability tracker published in July 2026 found that around three-quarters of Britons viewed the Prince and Princess of Wales positively. That survey also recorded a 70% favourable opinion of Princess Anne.

The different results illustrate why the wording and timing of polling matter. Ratings gathered across a quarter can produce a different ranking from a survey that asks specific questions about the royal family at a particular moment. William and Kate remain central to the monarchy’s future. As the Prince of Wales prepares for his eventual role as king, public perceptions of his leadership, family life and charitable work will continue to attract attention.

What The Numbers Say About The Monarchy

The latest ratings offer a reminder that royal popularity is not fixed. While William and Kate remain prominent public figures, Anne’s standing demonstrates that a long record of service can also resonate with the public. The results are not a referendum on the future of the monarchy, nor do they establish why individual ratings have changed. They provide a snapshot of public opinion that may shift again in future quarters.

For now, Princess Anne has taken the lead in YouGov Ratings’ latest popularity figures, while the Prince and Princess of Wales remain firmly in positive territory. The next set of results will show whether this shift endures or proves to be a temporary change in the royal popularity rankings.