Royals top Britain's obsessions, survey finds

Britons' fascination with the Royal Family remains the country's top obsession, a new survey shows, ahead of weather and even a pint at the pub.

The study by Jason's Sourdough found 53% of Brits are fascinated by the royals and their long-running soap opera, a trend linked to the feud between Princes William and Harry and the pomp surrounding events such as US President Donald Trump's state visit last week. The constantly fluctuating British weather ranks second at 50%, beating the pub at 49%, with debates about the nation's favorite drink and how to brew tea ranking at 42%. Small talk remains central to national identity, while discussions about what to do on a bank holiday (37%), what's for dinner (27%), and traffic jams (26%) also feature among top pastimes.

The findings also show how these obsessions intensify with age, with three-quarters of participants saying their fixation has grown over time. Most respondents (87%) acknowledge that non-Brits might find such fixations odd, but 45% said they do not care and see them as part of national identity.

"These findings really highlight the fun and uniquely British way we connect with each other," Dr Anna Machin, an anthropologist at the University of Oxford, said. "Having these little "obsessions" whether it's queuing properly, chatting about the weather, or debating the perfect cup of tea isn't just small talk. For Brits, it's a shared language that helps us bond, feel part of a community, and even find comfort in tradition. They might seem quirky, but these rituals are part of what makes British culture so distinctive and endearing."

Experts note that the rituals described in the study function as social glue, shaping conversations and everyday rituals that reinforce a sense of belonging. The data, drawn from a broad cross-section of age groups, suggests these patterns may become more pronounced as people age, reflecting deepening ties to tradition and collective identity.