Prince Edward slipped a place in the line of succession following the arrival of Princess Eugenie’s new baby, but his standing with the British public appears to be heading in the opposite direction.
The Duke of Edinburgh has quietly emerged as one of the Royal Family’s biggest success stories, with his popularity climbing further than that of any other member since polling on his public standing began in 2019.
When the public were first asked for their views of Edward, just 35 per cent held a positive opinion of him, while 32 per cent viewed him negatively, leaving him with a modest net positivity score of +3.
According to the figures cited, Edward’s overall popularity has risen by 32 points since polling began twice the 16 point increase recorded by both Princess Anne and King Charles over the same period.
Like Anne, he has built his reputation around consistency, carrying out a demanding programme of engagements.
At his side throughout that transformation has been his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who has become an increasingly prominent presence alongside him.
The couple recently attended the Edinburgh International Festival, where they were joined by their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, to meet the cast of INALA following a performance.
The Zulu ballet was conceived to celebrate diversity and African culture, with the engagement also reflecting Edward’s long-standing connection to the arts.
He serves as Patron of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, where the production was performed, as well as Patron of the Edinburgh International Festival.
2026-08-17 03:56:00
