They make you proud to be British… meet the young Royal Family fans who can’t wait for the coronation
A POLL for Panorama claims that eight out of ten young people – 78 per cent – have no interest in the Royal Family, and a third of those aged 18 to 24 would replace the monarchy with an elected head of state.
The BBC programme decided its results – published less than two weeks before the Coronation – signal the monarchy is in peril.
But when The Sun quizzed young Brits the same age we found there is REAL hope for the future of our royals.
Meet the proud Gen Z royalists . . .
SAM HURD, 18
Manchester
BUSINESS student Sam says: “As a young lad my parents brought me up to respect the monarchy.
“The Royal Family are integral to our country and our history. It’s important we appreciate our past and tradition.
“I do have friends who want a republic but I think that’s fairly disrespectful to everything the Royal Family has done for us.
“Our younger generation may consider the Royal Family does nothing for them but they have been a constant throughout our history.
“A lot of people look to the Royal Family for hope in times of trouble, getting the nation through tough times like two world wars and the pandemic even, by providing stability.
“They do a great job of what they do. It would be awful to lose our monarchy.”
KRYS MACIEJZK, 21
Merthyr Tydfil
“THEY’RE our history and our future – they are the Royal Family for the world, not just Britain,” says student Krys.
“People my age say they are out of date and out of touch but William and Kate are coming through to represent the younger generation.”
Krys was Youth Mayor of Merthyr for two years before going to university in Bristol.
He says: “The great thing about the royals is that they are non-political and independent.”
Krys fears we would lose many traditions if the monarchy was abolished, and says: “In Merthyr we have the Prince Charles Hospital Merthyr.
“Imagine if it was named after Boris Johnson or Matt Hancock – no thanks.”
FREDDIE DERBRIDGE, BRADLEY DAVISON AND FIN CLARR, all 18
Chelmsford, Essex
AT Chelmsford College of Further Education, three 18-year-old students, who also play for Billericay Town FC, are all keen to celebrate King Charles’s Coronation.
Freddie, from Brentwood, Essex, said: “I’m going to watch on the big screen at my local pub, now I’m old enough, and it’s going to be a great day, certainly one to remember.”
Bradley, from South Woodham Ferrers, said: “I think it’s great to have a Royal Family, it makes you proud to be British.”
Fin, who also supports the monarchy, said: “I’ll be watching with my family in the pub. It’s going to be a great fun day.”
William’s a good bloke…he pulled Kate Middleton
JAMES BLAKE, 17
Windsor
OF all the royals, Windsor college student James admires Prince William best.
He says: “William is my favourite royal. He’s a good bloke – and he managed to pull Kate Middleton!
“I think Charles will make a good King.
“He did a lot of excellent work about climate change when he was the Prince of Wales.
“My family are also very pro the monarchy, they’re royalists.
“I think they’ll be doing something to celebrate the Coronation but I’m on holiday so I’ll be away.”
ELIZABETH ELLWOOD, 18
Gateshead
CIVIL engineering student Elizabeth happily admits she loves the royals.
She says: “It’s lovely that we have a Royal Family. I’ve grown up with the monarchy and my nan and grandad are massive royalists.
“We watch all of the royal events on the television and we’re having a street party for King Charles’s Coronation.
“It’s an old-fashioned one where everyone will put tables in the street. I’m really excited for it.”
And Elizabeth says of the Royal Family: “They bring in so much tourism and money to the country.
“I love Will and Kate, they’re my favourites. I’m a huge fan of theirs. They’re the more modern royals.
“I don’t think the Panorama poll is true. Lots of young people like the royals. It isn’t reflective of how the younger generation feels.”
USAMAH RANA, 23
Wandsworth, South London
THE Royal Family is a symbol of what Britain stands for, says estate agent Usamah.
He continues: “They’re such an asset to our country, upholding our traditions and showing what being British really means.
“Every country needs a symbol of what it stands for, and the Royal Family is ours.
“They’re so well known and their visits all over the world help promote our country and raise awareness of good causes.
“Charles is showing he is a king of all people, sending messages to all faiths and minorities.”
Usamah adds: “I’d rather Harry didn’t talk about his family publicly so much.
“Every family has issues but I don’t think he is damaging the Royal Family.
“It’s quite a contradiction as Harry wanted to leave the country but is doing various interviews getting publicity about his family.
“I’m a big fan of William. You can see from how he speaks and carries himself that he is so positive and has decency and poise.
“It’s also important to see the future, and photos of George and the other children laughing make people smile.”
ANGEL GRAHAM, 22
Torquay
IT was the Queen’s death last year that made Angel realise her feelings for the monarchy.
She says: “I always liked them but I didn’t realise how much until the Queen died.
“I was in floods of tears and I remember thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, I’m a royalist’.
“For me it’s all about the tradition. The Queen was like everybody’s mother or grandmother just because her presence was so reassuring.”
On May 6, student Angel is hosting a Coronation street party and she says: “It’s a lovely excuse to get everybody out together to celebrate something really important.
“It brings the whole community together.”
GRACE HARACZ, 25
Windsor
DATA analyst Grace, who works in Windsor, considers herself a royalist and says: “I’m excited and happy about the Coronation.
“I like King Charles but that’s only happened very recently, after we’ve seen a lot on TV about his climate change work. I didn’t realise how much he was into helping.
“Will and Kate are my fave royals. They are a lot closer to my age and are more relatable.
“Seeing them get married was a big moment in my childhood and it was just beautiful.
“I wouldn’t want the way our monarchy works to change, it’s a part of tradition. I think they are doing really great stuff.”
ZOE BURN, 19
Leyburn, North Yorks
TRAINEE nurse Zoe is proud the UK is one of the few countries that still has a monarchy and says: “I can’t imagine life without it. The Royal Family are fabulous.
“We English like to gossip, and they certainly give us plenty to talk about.
“If we didn’t have a monarchy it would be a very sad place.
“We already have an elected PM and nobody ever seems very happy with them, so I don’t think an elected head would solve any problems.
“I certainly don’t want to end up like America.
“The cost of the monarchy has never been an issue for me.
“They provide us with history and tradition that’s nice to be part of.
“There’s a sense of continuity, instead of a government that changes every four years.
“I will be working on Coronation day but we will have it on the TV in the background so we can all see it.
“In my home village The Street Head Inn is going all out to celebrate.
“I was so sad when the Queen died, a lot sadder than I thought I would be. The funeral was a really touching ceremony.
“It brought the whole country together and made you feel wholesome.
“The same will happen with the Coronation. How can anyone say this is not a good thing?”