The latest survey shows that while a firm majority of Danes want to keep their monarchy, some 16 percent would rather have an elected president.

The survey, carried out by Catinét for Ritzau, comes following a referendum eight days ago on an amendment to the laws of succession, as well as public debate about the royal family’s status in Danish society.

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According to the poll. 15.3 percent of the population would like a republic, while 77.8 percent prefer the monarchy.

Copenhagen University Associate Professor in History Jes Fabricius Møller says that while most Danes are republicans in principle – this means that they fully support democracy. But at the same time, they do not feel that the monarchy is a threat to democracy. On the contrary, they see the Royal Family as an integral part of Danish democracy.

But he adds that the future of Denmark’s royalty depends greatly on the ability of Crown Prince Frederik to renew the monarchy when he ascends the throne.

“The Royal Family is something special, but in order to maintain support it must be aware of representing values that the majority can identify with. Much of this depends on how the next generation handles the situation,” says Møller.