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LONDON – Prince Philip’s death marks more than the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband – it’s a reminder that his nearly 70-year reign, the longest in British history, is on its home stretch .
Experts say that as her children and grandchildren step up their royal duties, the transition to the next generation is a volatile time that could raise doubts about the value of the monarchy in today’s world.
“This is the end of an era and could call into question the leadership of the monarchy and broader questions about the role of the monarchy in 21st century Britain,” said David McClure, author of “The Queen’s True Worth: Unraveling the Public & Private Finances of Queen Elizabeth II.”
“Prince Philip’s death will have a ripple effect on people who will reconsider the value of the monarchy for the life of Britain and as a political institution,” he said.
In the UK, the Queen has an official role as Head of State, Head of the Church of England and Head of the Armed Forces and as a powerful symbol, delivering a speech setting the government’s priorities at the start of the parliamentary year and formally. approve legislation.
Britain is not the only place where she is head of state. She is also queen of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and several island nations, as well as head of the Commonwealth, an association of 54 countries, almost all of which were once under British rule.
It is in these places that the transition to the next generation will begin to raise the most questions, said historian Sarah Gristwood.
“The British monarchy will always be the most vulnerable in the years to come, not in Britain, but in the Commonwealth or other states which currently have the Queen as head of state but may not wish not do it forever, ”said Gristwood, author of“ Elizabeth: Queen and Crown ”.
The day after Philip died on Friday at 99, the couple’s firstborn, Prince Charles, spoke about the Commonwealth twice in his short speech in remembrance of his father. It was no accident, said Gristwood.
Support for the monarchy as an institution remains high in the UK More than 60% of people believe Britain should have a monarchy in the future, according to a YouGov poll in December. Only 25% said he should have an elected head of state.
In Australia, however, longtime critics of the monarchy see the transition to the next monarch as a time to cut ties.
“After the Queen’s reign is over, this is the time for us to say, ‘OK, we’ve come to this turning point’,” former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who campaigned to impeach the British monarch at the head of state of the country. , told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in March. “Do we really want whoever happens to be the Head of State, King or Queen of the United Kingdom to automatically be our Head of State?”
Meanwhile, in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados, where the Queen is also head of state, the Governor General said in September on behalf of the government that “the time has come to put our colonial past completely behind us.” and that “Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. “
In the UK, despite high votes from members of the royal family, critics believe the succession will bring increased resistance to the institution.
“When people think of the monarchy, they think of the Queen or Philip and the connection to the past, war and so on,” said Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign group. “Charles will inherit the throne, but he will not inherit his mother’s deference or respect.”
It has not escaped the attention of the royal family. They are, indeed, aware of the dangers of the transition and are already planning for it, said royal expert Daisy McAndrew.
“One of the first things that is planned ‘when Charles takes over” is a 100 day tour of Britain, touring the whole country. They will try to create a buzz around the new accepted monarch, “she said. . “It will be a watershed moment for Prince Charles to put the country behind him.”
As the Queen ages, Charles has already taken on many of her duties, including trips abroad. His wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, have also taken on additional responsibilities.
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But polls show Charles’s popularity is nowhere near that of the Queen. According to a December YouGov poll on who should succeed the Queen, 32 percent of respondents named Charles; 40 percent said William.
Practically speaking, it may not matter. No British political party supports the elimination of the monarchy, said Antony Taylor, a modern British historian at Sheffield Hallam University.
“Without a political party committed to reforming or removing the head of state, I don’t see how you can bring about change,” said Taylor, who studies republicanism.
That may change, however, as younger generations grow up with no recollection of the role of the Royal Family in maintaining the nation’s spirit during WWII.
“For them, things are very fluid, and maybe a fluid situation gives them the opportunity to think the unthinkable,” he said.
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