WINDSOR LOSER

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[WilliamDaily] WINDSOR LOSER



WINDSOR LOSER

PRINCE Edward is the least popular royal, according to a new poll.

The Queen's youngest son got no votes at all in a survey to find
which Buckingham Palace family member the public liked the best.

His mum didn't come out of it too well either - 63 per cent of those
quizzed said they thought she was "too distant" and a third want her
to abdicate.

Just 15 per cent believed she was happy and less than one in 10
thought she was lovable.

But there was good news for Prince William. The 20-year-old was voted
the most respected royal.

And despite many thinking the Queen is aloof, she is still more
popular than her husband the Duke of Edinburgh and other sons Charles
and Andrew.

Researchers quizzed 2,051 people in the poll for ITV.

When asked who they had most respect for, 34 per cent said Wills, 31
per cent the Queen, 13 per cent Charles, five per cent Andrew, four
per cent Prince Philip and nought per cent Edward.

Royal author Margaret Holder said last night: "Poor Edward, he always
does badly in these polls.

"I think this is because of his public profile.

"Where as Princess Anne is regarded as a royal worker who does a lot
for the country, Edward is seen as not doing much and living in
luxury.

"He is very much a victim of the way he is presented and probably
doesn't deserve to do so badly.

"After all, he has never really done anything particularly wrong."

Edward's popularity took a nosedive after a series of high-profile
gaffes, including letting his film company air a programme which
alleged Charles and Princess Diana never loved each other.

As for the Queen, the poll highlights the difficulties she has faced
in the past year.

Just 12 months ago - immediately after her Golden Jubilee
celebrations - a survey found more than half of her subjects
felt "strong respect" for the monarch.

But a year of royal revelations, including the aborted trial of
Diana's butler Paul Burrell, has taken its toll on her popularity.

Last night, royal experts claimed the Queen would be disappointed
with the results but would never abdicate despite the feelings of her
subjects.

Margaret Holder said: "Sixty three per cent is a significant
proportion. It would be very disappointing for the monarchy to see so
many people think the Queen is distant.

"After Diana's death, they have gone to great lengths to communicate
better with the public but clearly these tactics haven't worked.

"Royal advisors have tried to boost the Queen's public image, but
this suggests there is little change in public perception.

"However I still believe the Queen will never abdicate.

"The prospects of Charles becoming king is too constitutionally
problematic because of the Camilla Parker Bowles situation."

Constitutional historian Lord Blake agreed but said such polls have
little validity.

He added: "I believe the monarchy should ignore public opinion polls
like this, as they always have done.

"The Queen would never abdicate even if she is regarded as distant.

"These opinions change every week so it would be wrong of her to
listen to surveys like this."

The ITV poll, carried out for the 50th anniversary of the Queen's
coronation, found large differences in people's views depending on
their age.

While more than half of the over-50s respected the Queen more than
any other royal, 31 per cent of the under-30s preferred Prince
William.