(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Canadian adults are divided on who they would prefer as head of state when the reign of Queen Elizabeth II comes to an end, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 29 per cent of respondents would like Prince William as monarch, while 26 per cent would choose Prince Charles.

In addition, 32 per cent of respondents believe there should be no monarch after Queen Elizabeth II.

Under the terms of the Canadian Constitution, Queen Elizabeth II holds the position of Canada’s head of state. The Queen—who has been the monarch of 16 independent nations since February 1952—will turn 82 next month.

Prince Charles is first in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth II, followed by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Earlier this month, on her annual Commonwealth Day message, Queen Elizabeth II discussed environmental issues, saying, "The competition for fresh water by a growing population is itself becoming a source of potential conflict. Our own attitudes to the environment, and the use we put it to, may have consequences for people on every continent and for every ocean and sea. (...) The impact of pollution falls unequally: it is often those who pollute the least—notably in the world’s least-developed nations—who are closest to the razor’s edge: most affected by the impact of climate change and least equipped to cope with it."

Polling Data

Thinking about the future King of the United Kingdom and Canada, which of these options would you prefer?

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,047 Canadian adults, conducted on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, 2008. Margin of error is 3.0 per cent.

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