While 58 per cent believe the royals to be out of tune with the public, only a quarter of those questioned for the NOP survey said they believed the monarchy would end.
Three days before his 18th birthday, the poll, for the Sunday Express, shows Prince William running neck and neck with Prince Charles - each at 44 per cent - with the country clearly divided over who should be the next king. Thirty-one per cent of those questioned thought Queen Elizabeth should abdicate now, while 30 per cent said their loyalty to the monarchy would increase if William became king.
While support for the royals is weak in Scotland, just 14 per cent of the Welsh say the monarchy has no future.
On Saturday it was announced that the prince will not adopt the formal trappings of royalty on becoming 18. He wishes to continue to be known as William and will not be referred to as His Royal Highness.
Although styled HRH since birth, the convention is that children are not addressed as such until they reach their majority. For the moment, Prince William has decided that he does not wish people to bow or curtsey, or to have staff address him as sir.
