LONDON (Archyde.com) – Britain’s 70-year reign has seen several outpourings of frustration from republican advocates. But her devotion to the Queen of her people was so strong that her impetus for the abolition of the monarchy did not last long.
But with the Queen’s death and the accession of her less popular son, King Charles, republicans believe the 1,000-year-old monarchy may be one step closer to abolition.
Graham Smith, president of the pro-republican activist group Republic, said earlier this year, “For most of us, the Queen is the royal family. After her death, the future of the institution is in serious jeopardy.” . “Prince Charles may inherit the throne, but she won’t inherit the respect the Queen enjoyed from her,” he said.
Smith and other anti-royalists argue that the royal family has no place in a modern democracy and that the cost of maintaining it is eye-opening.
Royal officials say the maintenance costs are less than £1 per capita per year. But republican proponents put the real cost at about £350 million a year.
It is also difficult to keep track of all royal wealth. It’s financially opaque, and it’s unclear what assets you own directly. A Archyde.com analysis in 2015 put the nominal assets at that time at an estimated £23 billion.
Polls consistently show that a majority of Britons support the monarchy. Support for the Queen herself is the same, if not higher. Republicans also admitted that it would be impossible to change her monarchy during her queen’s lifetime.
But the survey also shows that support has been steadily declining, especially among young people. It also shows that King Charles is less popular than his Queen.
Support for the 73-year-old King Charles to ascend to the throne has also waned, with some surveys suggesting that many believe his eldest son, Prince William, should succeed to the throne.
Opinion polls show that public sentiment remains divided on King Charles’ second wife, Queen Camilla. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s popularity over the royal couple may help counter abolitionism at home and abroad.
British tabloids generally have a favorable reception to the royal couple, often featuring them on their front pages as they participate in royal events and charity work. It has been pointed out that the Crown Prince and Princess are better at using the media than older generations.
In a rapidly changing world, the stability provided by ancient institutions such as the royal family has become a source of support for people.
A former royal aide said the royal family has played a “sort of weight” role, especially in national crises.
But even the crown prince and princess are not immune to criticism. During a recent trip to the Caribbean, he faced protests over the conduct of the British Empire’s royal family.
The activist group Republic has ramped up its activism over the last few years through social media and billboards.
For years, Smith and others have argued that support for the monarchy as a whole would wane as the public faced the reality of “King Charles.”
Smith said that between the Queen’s state funeral and King Charles’ coronation, he and other activists are keen to call for a referendum on the future of the monarchy.
“This is an opportunity to act, but it won’t be easy. We need to work hard to get the referendum going,” Smith said.
The UK does not have a constitution that codifies the procedure for abolishing the monarchy, and the path to abolition is unclear. However, abolitionists argue that if public opinion overwhelmingly favors the abolition of the monarchy, it will no longer exist.
The only time the British monarchy died out was after the Puritan Revolution of 1649. After a brief republic, the monarchy was restored in 1660.
Britain isn’t the only place where the royal family’s standing could be threatened. Although most of the former colonies gained independence during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, King Charles will still be head of state for 14 countries outside Britain, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In these countries, the reverence and popularity of the queen has largely stifled discussion of transitioning to a republic, but it is highly likely that the succession to the throne will revive the discussion.
The fact that the Caribbean island nation of Barbados abolished its constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II last November is seen as giving a tailwind to the transition to a republic. Other monarchies, including Jamaica and Belize, have said they want to follow Barbados’ lead, and the British royal family has said it will not stand in its way.
In Australia, in a referendum held in 1999, 55% of voters supported the preservation of the constitutional monarchy. But recent polls show a variety of conflicting results.
A 2020 survey found that 62% of Australians said they wanted an Australian head of state, with the future King Charles’ accession to the throne being key. However, according to a survey in January last year, only 34% wanted a transition to a republic.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said when King Charles’ second son Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan visited Australia in 2018, “I have great respect for the constitutional monarchy, and I don’t think there is a need to restore it unless the system is broken.” Stated.
But Harry and Harry’s departure from the royal family in 2020 and subsequent accusations of racist remarks at the royal house could also create headwinds for the royal family.
Australia’s current government, which is center-left, appointed the country’s first “Parliamentary Secretary of the Republic” when it formed its cabinet in June.
Prime Minister Albanizy has previously spoken out in favor of a transition to republicanism. But on Thursday, he said, “Today is a day to talk about one thing only. It’s a tribute to Queen Elizabeth.”
In Canada, a recent poll showed that about half of Canadians believe the death of Queen Elizabeth should end ties with the British royal family.
But experts say removing the monarchy from Canada’s constitution will be very difficult and could be a barrier to an early transition to republicanism.
Opinion polls in New Zealand show a dichotomy in public opinion, with younger generations tending to favor a republic.
In March 2018, Prime Minister Ardern said she expected New Zealand to become a republic in her lifetime, but made it clear that transition was not a priority for her government. “There is no doubt that a chapter was closed today…she was outstanding,” the prime minister said on the day of her death on Saturday.
(Reporter by Michael Holden)