Heavy is the head that wears the crown…but Gen Z wants it, with some fresh takes on our monarchy’s future.
According to new research, more than a third (36%) of young Brits believe that the next King or Queen should be chosen by a vote rather than through the time-honoured tradition of royal succession.
And if the crown was suddenly up for grabs? Nearly half (45%) of Gen Z would be more than happy to take on the challenge of ruling, with 34% convinced they’d make a better monarch than King Charles himself.
The study, commissioned by SEGA Europe to coincide with the launch of Metaphor: ReFantazio, dives into the minds of Brits young and old. While two-thirds (63%) still support having a monarchy, just 23% of Gen Z are content to let the crown pass automatically onto the first-born.
In fact, one in ten say potential royals should have to prove their worth in a good old-fashioned battle for the throne. Even the idea of winning a war is less daunting than the prospect of constant attention in the public eye and always being “on”—the main reasons people might think twice about a life of royalty.
It’s clear that Prince Harry’s candid approach resonates with the younger crowd; a whopping 64% of Gen Z believe he would be as good a monarch, if not better, than his dad.
But royal aspirations don’t stop there – some Brits have a cheeky sense of humour when it comes to their ideal rulers. Sir David Attenborough (22%) was named the most desirable King in the land, followed by Dame Judi Dench at 16%. If the nation is going to have a monarch, why not someone who’s used to narrating the wild side of life, or playing queens on the big screen?
To celebrate Metaphor: ReFantazio’s launch, SEGA and ATLUS have partnered with Sealand – yes, the world’s smallest “country,” consisting of an old WWII sea fort in the North Sea – to offer one lucky gamer the noble title of “Hand to the Sovereign Prince of Sealand.”
Not exactly a seat in the House of Lords, but a royal role nonetheless. It’s all to tie in with the game’s fantasy setting, where players will find themselves battling for the sovereignty of the fictional United Kingdom of Euchronia.
How do you get a shot at becoming landed gentry (sort of)? Well, pop over to ATLUS’ X or Instagram pages – whilst all terms and conditions can be found here, where any UK resident over 18 is eligible.
Dan Lazarides, VP Marketing at SEGA West EMEA, said: “When you think about the United Kingdom, the Royal Family is one of the most iconic elements that comes to mind.
A constant presence throughout our lives on our TV screens and in our newspapers and magazines, it’s no wonder so many Brits think they could do the job of monarch just as well.
We’re excited to give gamers the chance to see if they have what it takes to secure the support of a nation and take to the throne themselves in Metaphor: ReFantazio.”
Metaphor: ReFantazio is set to bring its blend of fantasy and political intrigue to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Steam today, on Friday, 11th October.
From the creators behind the much-loved Persona series, this new RPG invites players to craft their destiny in a world full of magic, danger, and a fierce contest for the crown. With the game finally available after a thrilling demo launched a couple of weeks ago, it’s the perfect chance to see if you have what it takes to rise above the competition—even if it’s just in a virtual realm.
Best of British luck!
