Prince William is the most popular royal in recent history and support for the monarchy is on a 20-year high, reports the London Evening Standard today.

The next most loved royals are The Queen, who only last night proved her fashion credentials at the Royal variety performance in top to toe silver sparkle – followed by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge in fourth place.

It finds Prince William is even more popular than his late mother, Diana Princess of Wales.

The in-depth study from King’s College London with polling company Ipsos MOR shows that, while the monarchy was unpopular during the last two decades, it is now enjoying greater popular support than ever with the younger generation becoming fans in increasing numbers.

Director of the research, Professsor Mortimore said: ‘After a rocky period in the Nineties, public support for the monarchy and the Queen now looks as strong as it has been for many years.‘

Most of the public now expect the monarchy to survive well into the future and that is probably the best guarantee that it will do so.’

While ELLE would have easily pinpointed the Royal Wedding of 2011 as a high point for the monarchy, we wouldn’t have guessed it was due to everyone getting ‘William fever’ – now we stand corrected.

See all of Kate Middleton’s fashion moments here