In a poll taken for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on the eve of Prince Charles’s wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, 65 per cent of Canadians said he should become king despite being divorced.
The question asked was:
As you may know, Prince Charles will soon marry his long-time companion Camilla Parker Bowles, who, like Prince Charles, is divorced. Some people say that because of this marriage Charles should not become king. Which view is closer to your own; Charles should become King or should not become King?
Support for Charles ascending the Canadian throne was highest in Quebec, with 73 per cent saying he should become king. It was the lowest in Ontario at 61 per cent.
Across the country, 27 per cent said he should not become king, while nine per cent said they did not care or did not answer.
In a blow to the miniscule Canadian republican movement, which with the British and NZ republicans has just linked up with the Australian republican movement, the poll found that among the young, support of Charles was extremely high, 74 per cent to 18 per cent. This declined as the age of the respondents increased. For those over 60, support was still favourable, 52:39. There was no significant difference between men and women. Republicans in both countries, as well as the UK and NZ, have placed their hopes in the young and the communities other than those of British origin.This view is repeated in the media, especially in Australia How misguided they have been! Australian research has shown that support for republicanism is weaker among the young than the middle aged. We first saw a report of the CBC poll in that excellent publication by the Canadian Monarchist League, Canadian Monarchist News, Spring, 2005. The News also reported that another poll commissioned by the Globe and Mail and CTV news showed a similar result. Details of the CBC poll can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/marriage/poll/cbcpoll-charlescamilla.html
Until next time,
David Flint