The numbers aren't stacking up for King Charles. On the eve of his coronation, public support for the monarchy has fallen to historic lows with 45 per cent of Brits saying the monarchy isn't important to them.

Young people are even more skeptical – 40 per cent of them want the monarchy abolished.

However, they Royals still have pulling power in Tauranga. Because if King Charles III and Queen Camilla did a ‘meet and greet' down Devonport Rd tomorrow, 17-year-old Scarlett Nicholson would be in the front row.

'I so would. It would be cool because they are famous – the same if it was Taylor Swift or Guy Williams.” The Head of State of New Zealand mentioned in the same breath as a rock star and a comic. 'Anyone famous,” she says.

Scarlett is one of four young people The Sun corralled from Ōtūmoetai College to offer their thoughts and opinions on the new monarch – and his relevance to them as young people.

Marc Lulu may or may not be there. But he certainly won't be joining ‘the chorus of a million voices' to swear allegiance to the new King and his heirs.

'They don't hold much significance in my life,” says the would-be accountant. 'I don't look up to them.” So he wouldn't go out of his way to meet them.

Bragging rights

Samantha Bainbridge says being glad-handed by the royals would give her bragging rights.

'My Nan met Princess Diana at the opening of Baycourt 40 years ago, and she still talks about it. I think she would be jealous.”

Peter Colonna is head boy at Ōtūmoetai College. 'The King can't change laws but he says stuff than inspires people.” Peter can identify with that. He's a figurehead, representing the school's student body. King Charles is another figurehead.'The royals, like Queen Elizabeth, are always a beacon of love and hope. King Charles is less important than major political figures like presidents and prime ministers. But to the people he's very important. He's there for the people, to connect with the people.”

There's an adjunct. 'I don't like them.” Marc's been pondering. 'The monarchy doesn't really impact me or my life, but I respect that some people might look up them more than presidents and PMs.”

But if one of those presidents or PMs was on one side of the street and King Charles was on the other, Scarlett knows who she'd be drawn to. 'King Charles. I'd be more excited to see him, probably because we're part of the Commonwealth.”

What about King Charles the man, do we like him? There's quiet contemplation. 'I just feel he's probably done a bit of problematic stuff,” offers Scarlett. 'Some not so honorable stuff people of my generation might say they don't want to support someone like that.”

She was thinking what we were all thinking, but didn't want to say it. His adultery? 'Exactly – and he's probably a bit of a sexist.” 'He's just an old British dude,” says Peter. 'A bit tarnished. All the Princess Diana stuff. And I am a big Diana fan.”

But that ‘old British dude' still sells magazines and newspapers, occupies primetime TV space, commands degrees of loyalty and will also command a global audience of tens of millions this weekend.

'I feel they're just a boujee version of the Kardashians. It's such a dramafest with them.”

Of course Peter refers to Prince Harry's bitter feud with the ‘firm' and Prince Andrews expensive $12 million fall from grace.

And, it seems, the royals have increasing competition for the hearts and minds of young people. 'Our generation has so many influencers these days, so many people to look up to rather than the royals. They were influencers for our parents and grandparents.”

Influencers

The Gen Zs are technology-based; their influencers very active online. 'For some it might be the Kardashians, a sports star, Taylor Swift. Yeah a pop star!”

Someone like Harry Styles. Everyone adores Harry. But not so much the other Harry. 'I think our age group is more into influencers that are a little bit older than us...but not as old as the royal family.”

The Head Boy has a suggestion for the head royal. 'I reckon if King Charles could do a TikTok dance, we might like him better.”

Scarlett's postscript. 'I was gonna talk about how sad I was when the Queen died, because from a feminist point of view it was cool we had this powerful woman in the spotlight for such a long time. And now we have this old problematic man.”

Scarlett's grandparents rearranged their holiday to be in London as King Charles and Queen Camilla ride down the Mall. There is life in the monarchy yet.

Gen Z is often referred to as the first fully ‘digitally native' generation. They've grown up with social media and smartphones and are right at home in a digital-first world.
But what do they know of Kings and Queens? We put our Think Tank to a monarchy test.

The Right Royal Quiz

1. Recite the first verse of ‘God Save the King?'

'Absolutely not,” said one. The other three couldn't either.

2. Is the new King the first, second, third or fourth King Charles?
He is the third.
Three of four got it right.

3. What is the King's family name?
Lots of oohhs and aahhs but no right answers.
It is Mountbatten-Windsor.

4. King Charles has three other Christian names – name two?
No-one could provide Philip, Arthur or George.

5. The King's siblings?
Anne, Andrew and Edward.
Three correctly identified Andrew.

6. What was the King's mother's name?

Elizabeth.
Four from four.

7. His father's name?
Three Henrys but wrong.
One correct Philip.

8. Where was Prince Philip born?
Corfu.
No right answers.

9. Why did the Queen wear brightly-coloured clothes in public?
Not because she had a Hallensteins staff discount, but so her subjects could see and identify her.
Three right answers.

10. What was the King's wife's full maiden name?
Camilla Parker Bowles.
One big collective groan and no right answers.

11. What was the full name of the King's first wife?
Everyone knew Princess Diana but not the family name Spencer.

12. When was Queen Elizabeth crowned?
One said: 'Ages ago I reckon” which is right.
Two others were also right with 1952.

13. No-one knew the King plays the cello, guitar, and piano.
No points for trumpet, harp, violin.