![Prince William, who has just scored highly in US polling](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2023/08/10/TELEMMGLPICT000342298725_16916751408400_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
![Prince William, who has just scored highly in US polling](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2023/08/10/TELEMMGLPICT000342298725_16916751408400_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
A just-released Gallup poll reveals that Americans hold members of the British Royal Family, most notably HRH the Prince of Wales, in far higher esteem than our own presidential candidates and elected officials. As an American who is interested in the US-UK relationship and writes often about the constitutional monarchy, this is hardly surprising to me. Though it is fascinating against the backdrop of our cripplingly divisive, current political reality.
The poll surveyed a sampling of Americans giving them names of well known public figures and asking if they held a ‘a favourable or unfavourable opinion of that person – or if you have never heard of them.’
Of the public figures provided, Prince William led the pack with a positive approval of 59 per cent. Immediately following was Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy with 57 per cent. Then, in descending order came Jill Biden with 49 per cent approval and HM King Charles with 46 per cent. Tied with 41 per cent each came both US presidential candidates presumptive, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, scoring a full 18 points below the Prince of Wales. Just for the record, the figure who scored the lowest popularity of the poll, with just 5 per cent, was Vladimir Putin.
Another interesting revelation was that “behind Putin, who is universally disliked, Prince William is the next-most politically unifying figure in the poll, as more than six in 10 Republicans (65 per cent) and Democrats (63 per cent) view him favorably.”
Wait! Aren’t we the ex-colony that rejected the monarchy and teaches its school children of the valiant struggle against a tyrannical George III who kept us down and taxed us without representation?
In fact, we did those things and wrote down all of our grievances in the Declaration of Independence, as if Americans and not Englishmen had invented constitutional liberty. But this new poll seems to show that we might have dispensed with something critically precious that stabilizes and unifies society; something that Americans unconsciously yearn for but are not aware of.
In an era of alarming government dysfunction and political division that is tearing the fabric of American society, have thrown off monarchy, the USA lacks a unifying and stabilising force that shields the nation from the tumultuous discord that is our current reality. Unlike Britain, we have no societal institution that preserves the nation through upholding our values, traditions, and broader national interest.
Though the apolitical nature of your Royal Family is dictated by constitution and convention, much credit must be given to the various players, who, in the great tradition of the beloved Queen Elizabeth II are much admired, not just in Britain, but around the world for their commitment to nation, service and diplomacy.
My friends across the ocean have impressed upon me that it is not terribly British to wax lyrical about the monarchy (or much else, for that matter, in contrast to the way things are done here). But in my opinion, as long as the monarchy produces admirable public figures like William and Kate, and their Majesties, you Britons have something to celebrate and even in the most difficult of times.
Contrast their standing across both sides of the American divide with the intense destructive polarization surrounding the US’s current presidential possibilities. Biden, Trump, DeSantis, Kennedy, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Newsom, etc: all are embroiled in deeply divided opinions, with vastly different partisan favorability ratings. This division not only hampers effective governance but also erodes national unity, leading to a climate where compromise and cooperation are unattainable. The British system, on the other hand, has a barrier to this erosion.
Everyone may not be on board with a given royal’s position on the environment or social causes, but the Royal Family earns respect and affection every day for their dedication to representing and unifying Britain and the Commonwealth. With the exception of a few errant members (who, no doubt coincidentally, sometimes marry Americans) the monarchy consistently produces leaders who prioritize the betterment of the nation. The Gallup poll reveals just how highly valued these qualities are, not just in Britain but here in the USA.
These are troubling times for global stability and prosperity. But while Britain has, in the monarchy, maintained one of the bulwarks of its social cohesion, America has no one to remind us of “the great imperial family to which we all belong.” For we do not have that family.
Ironically we do have the Sussexes, but that is another matter entirely.
We Americans rate Prince William far above our own leaders. Britain is lucky to have its royals
But we were right to rebel against George III. It’s complicated