Britons want William as next king

THE majority of the British public want Prince William to leapfrog his father and become the next king of England, according to new polls released yesterday.

More than half (55%) would like the Prince of Wales to stand aside to allow Prince William to ascend directly to the throne, according to a survey for the News of the World.

And almost two-thirds (64%) of those quizzed thought William and fiancee Kate Middleton becoming king and queen would be better for the long-term prospects of the monarchy, compared with only 19% who plumped for Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.