Until the first quarter of the 20th century, a quarter of the world’s land area was controlled by the British Empire, known as the ‘Empire on which the sun never set’. With the loss of supremacy and the emergence of new powers as a result of the world wars, their luster faded, but they remained a nation capable of decisive influence in the economic and military arenas. This influence is also evidenced by the mourning songs that followed the death of the queen, the matriarch of the empire, even from countries that had been deprived of all freedoms and made into slave colonies. But when Queen Elizabeth dies after a long seven-decade reign, the country’s patriots are clamoring to bury the monarchy itself.
In Britain, centuries ago, large-scale protests and armed uprisings involving tens of thousands took part in defense of civil liberties and democratic rights. As a result of them, democracy and parliament even came into existence. The demand to end the monarchy has already started rising here. As preparations for the Queen’s last rites were completed, large and small protests spread across the country. On what basis was his son Charles declared king after the death of the Queen? The international media released footage of protesters asking if he is not a king without popular consent. The campaign to end the monarchy and introduce a system where an elected president becomes the head of state like in other democracies is also gaining strength.
There is no shortage of royal devotion of the police. Footage of the police arresting and manhandling protesters has emerged. A 22-year-old man was arrested and taken away after trying to stop Prince Andrew in Edinburgh, Scotland. This arrest also led to the strengthening of the protest. The footage of the protesting young woman holding up a placard saying ‘Charles is not my king’ got a lot of attention.
There is also a demand to end this system in other countries where the British Queen/King is the head of state. This was also discussed in the Australian Parliament.
At the time of Queen Elizabeth’s death, in an obituary written by the leading British newspaper ‘The Guardian’, it was noted that – “Monarchy built on the strength of special powers traditionally received is not suitable for the modern era. So it is enough to accept that in Britain, which is a changed and changing country, the monarchy must also change.”
Socialists, Communists and the left wing of the Labor Party had already demanded an end to the monarchy. A republican movement aimed at ending the monarchy is also gaining strength in Britain. Irish socialist and trade union leader James Connolly’s 1911 observation that the monarchy is a relic of evil aristocracy and a monument of power and plunder is widely debated today.
Newly crowned King Charles III is Britain’s wealthiest individual. Charles owns 1,35,000 acres of land in 23 countries. Queen Elizabeth’s personal wealth is 340 million pounds. The “Paradise Papers” revealed information about corporate entities and huge investments run by the British monarch and his family members. Corporate firms such as Apple and Nike have invested heavily in the Cayman Islands under fictitious company addresses. It also contained information about the large investments made by the British royal family.
The British royal family has a managerial system that works with global banks, professional organizations and publications agencies. The capital of the monarchy is the wealth accumulated through the slave trade and colonial violence since the 17th century. It is a large corporate entity with huge investments. The royal family has a huge collection of gold including the Kohinoor gem.
The British people are generally politically enlightened and educated. Therefore, the rulers cannot pretend that they did not see the protest against the monarchy in the UK without justification. All parties except the Conservative Party (Tory) in Britain are opposed to monarchy in principle and are of the opinion that a republican constitution is needed. Therefore, if not today, then tomorrow, the people’s agitation against the monarchy will be successful.