Over half of UK public do not want Camilla Duchess of Cornwall to be queen

The poll showed that Prince Harry and Prince William are the most popular royals

Kashmira Gander

Saturday 11 April 2015 06:04 BST

The Duchess of Cornwall is the least popular member of the Royal Family. (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

More than half of the British public do not want Camilla Duchess of Cornwall to become the queen, a survey has revealed.

A poll by the Daily Mail has shed light on how the public views the Duchess, and showed that if her husband Prince Charles were to succeed the throne, 55 per cent of the UK public would not want the Duchess to be queen.

It also laid bare how the nation is divided over whether Charles should become king if the Queen abdicates or dies, with only 43 per cent agreeing that he should ascend to the throne.

Around 40 percent of people admitted they believe Prince Charles should make way for his eldest son William to become king.

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

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1/10In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Princely influence

The Prince of Wales tried to influence Tony Blair’s government on issues such as grammar schools, alternative medicine and GM food, a BBC radio programme revealed.

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Charles and grammar schools

David Blunkett, right, was among those who disclosed they had been contacted by the Prince of Wales. The former Education Secretary spoke about Prince Charles’ attempts to expand grammar schools, and how he 'didn’t like' it when his suggestion was refused.

Rex

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Ignoring austerity

The cost of the monarchy to the taxpayer rose by nearly six per cent last year - more than double the rate of inflation. Travel costs incurred by the Prince of Wales, who has recently begun to take over official duties previously undertaken by his mother, included a £434,000 visit to India with the Duchess of Cornwall, and a charter flight to attend the funeral of Nelson Mandela which cost £246,160

Getty

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

The 'withered' Prince

Spain’s King Juan Carlos reportedly said the aging Prince Charles was partly his inspiration for abdicating in favour of Crown Prince Felipe (left). He was reported to have said: 'I do not want my son to wither waiting like Prince Charles'

JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Reforming capitalism

In May, the Prince of Wales spoke at a major conference about reforming capitalism - despite being advised not to speak on matters of public controversy. Charles' comments over the course of the month had reignited debate about the British monarchy

Getty

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Putin 'acting like Hitler'

Prince Charles was claimed to have compared the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to those of Adolf Hitler during a private conversation with a woman who had fled the Nazis

PA

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Australia? Take it or leave it

In April the veteran Australian journalist David Marr said the Prince of Wales once privately expressed his belief that if Australia became a republic it would be 'no skin off anyone's nose'

Getty

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Satanic Verses

Prince Charles turned his back on Sir Salman Rushdie during his fatwa over publication of The Satanic Verses because he thought the book was offensive to Muslims, it was reported earlier this year. The claims were made by Martin Amis, who said Charles told him that he would not offer support 'if someone insults someone else’s deepest convictions'

AP

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

Homeopathy

Prince Charles has reportedly pushed for further research on the NHS about homeopathic remedies for a number of years. Labour MPs reacted with fury at the revelation in July 2013 that the heir to the throne had met Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, with NHS support for homeopathy believed to be on the agenda

Getty Images

In pictures: Prince Charles's most controversial moments

The 'black spider letters'

The Guardian has been trying for years to secure the release of a series of 'particularly frank' letters written by Prince Charles to senior Government figures. In October 2012, the attorney-general Dominic Grieve overruled a court's decision to allow access but now, barring a successful appeal to the Supreme Court, Charles's correspondence will be revealed at last

According to the poll, the Duchess , 67, is among the least popular members of the royal family with the public, amid speculation Prince Charles’ affair with her while he was married to Diana sparked the end of the relationship.

Interestingly, pollsters also found that the Duchess is no longer seen as the main reason for why Charles's marriage to Diana finished, with the Prince himself held to blame by 39 per cent, followed by Diana on 13 per cent and the Duchess on 12 per cent.

However, the Duchess’ standing with public has improved since the time of her wedding to Charles in April 2005, when 73 per cent of the public opposed her becoming queen. Now, 15 percent say that the marriage strengthened the royal family.

Meanwhile Prince William and Prince Harry were found to be the most popular royals, closely followed by the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The poll comes after an aide to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge said Prince George is eagerly awaiting a new brother or sister later this month, though they say they do not know what sex the child will be.

Before the world is told, Queen Elizabeth II will be informed.

Additional reporting by PA

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