Diana Commemorative Poll

Sunday 01 September 2002

Summary of findings

• Almost half the population (46%) think that Britain would be worse off if the monarchy was abolished. Over a third (37%) say it would make no difference and 13% say it would be better off. These figures are broadly in line with those we recorded in September 1997.
• Younger people are most likely to say that it would make no difference compared to older people; 52% among the 16-34 age group compared with 29%those aged 35+.
• Almost half the population (46%) think that the monarchy is more popular than it was five years ago although opinions here are fairly evenly divided as two in five (40%) think it is less popular. Middle class people are more likely to think it is more popular than working class people (52% vs 40%). It is the 35-54 year olds that are most doubtful.
• There is strong support among the public for a memorial to be put in place to honour Diana's memory — with three in four (73%) supporting this idea. Of those who support this idea, three in ten (28%) think that the Royal Family should have taken responsibility for setting it up. One in six (16%) say it should have been the Government. At the other end of the scale, 6% think it should have been Prince Charles.
• Three-quarters of the public (74%) agree that the Royal Family has avoided making references to Diana since her death — views on this are fairly consistent among all ages and classes and regions.
• Views are evenly divided as to whether enough has been done to honour Diana, Princess of Wales; almost half (46%) agree not enough has been done with a similar proportion (44%) disagreeing.
• It is clear from the results that the public think Diana will always be remembered as 'The People's Princess' -nine in ten (88%) agree.
• There is widespread feeling that the Royal Family has modernised the way it carries out its duties, with three in five (61%) agreeing with this.
• Prince Charles is also viewed positively with half the public (48%) agreeing that he is bringing up Prince William and Prince Harry in the way that Diana would have wanted.

Topline Results

• MORI interviewed a representative sample of 506 British adults aged 18+ by telephone.
• Interviews were carried out throughout Great Britain on 28-29 August 2002.
• Data are weighted to the known population profile.

Q1 On balance, do you think Britain would be better off or worse off if the monarchy was abolished or do you think it would make no difference?

Q2 On balance, do you think the monarchy is more popular or less popular than it was five years ago?

Q3 As you may know, this Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales. Do you think there should or should not be a memorial in place to honour her memory?

Q4 Who do you think should have been responsible for setting up a memorial for Diana?

Base: All who think there should be a memorial in place (364)

NB: Unprompted question — these are spontaneous responses

Q5-9 I am going to read out a number of different statements. For each, please tell me whether you agree or disagree:

• Q5 The Royal Family have avoided making reference to Diana since her death
• Q6 Not enough has been done to honour the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales
• Q7 Diana, will always be remembered as 'The People's Princess' by the public
• Q8 The Royal Family has modernised the way it carries out its duties since the death of Diana
• Q9 Prince Charles is bringing up Prince William and Prince Harry in the way Diana would have wanted