The state opening of Parliament yesterday was as full of ceremony as ever. The Yeomen of the GuardAlso known as Beefeaters, they are officially the Queen's bodyguard. searched the cellarsThe search is traditionally carried out to guard against a repetition of the Gunpowder Plot.. The members of the House of Lords wore their scarlet robes. The Imperial State Crown was carried in on a velvet cushion by the Lord Great ChamberlainA hereditary position. The holder is in charge of the royal apartments in the Palace of Westminster and also plays a major role in coronations.. There was just one person missing: the Queen.

The 96-year-old monarch had been advised by doctors not to attend. The reason given by Buckingham Palace was "mobility problems". Instead, the Queen's Speech was read by the Prince of Wales, with Prince William close at hand.

It was the first time in nearly 60 yearsThe Queen has missed the state opening twice before, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward. that the state opening had taken place without the Queen. And it was the first time since 1819 that the heir to the throneIn 1819 it was the Prince Regent, later King George IV. He took the role because his father, George III, was mentally ill. had stood in for the monarch.

In the words of the Daily Mail, "The Queen is still very much in charge - but, make no mistake, this is a historic moment for the Crown." People cannot help wondering how long she will be able to carry on, and what will happen after that.

Her own wishes are clear. The presence of the Prince of Wales and Prince William signalled that the monarchy should continue as before. The Queen has already delegated some of her duties, such as laying a wreath at the CenotaphA monument to those killed in World War One. The word is Greek for empty tomb. on Remembrance Sunday, to her eldest son.

But there are difficult questions to be faced. One is whether there should be a Regency. Another is whether the monarchy can survive after her death. 

The royal family's image has suffered considerable damage recently. There were claims of racism within the royal household after Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle. Prince Andrew has been disgraced by his association with Jeffrey Epstein. One of Prince Charles's closest aides has been accused of soliciting donations in return for honours. 

Prince Charles is perceived by some as behaving like a spoiled child, and blamed for being a poor father to Harry. The TV series The Crown portrayed him as being cruel to his first wife, Diana.

"I think there's a really real risk that if Charles does succeed her, the monarchy will go over a cliff very fast," says the Queen's biographer Clive Irving. "He doesn't like to be challenged, and he thinks like an autocrat."

An opinion poll carried out last year found that young people in particular have turned against the idea of a royal family. Among those aged 18 to 24, only 31% are in favour of the monarchy, while 41% would like an elected head of state.

But the nation as a whole feels differently: 61% of people support the monarchy, and only 24% would prefer a president.

As Max Hastings wrote in The Times, "Who would you rather have as head of state: King Charles III? Or Tony Blair, Richard Branson, Boris Johnson, Piers Morgan or any other such motleyStrange or dubious. It was originally the name given to a jester's outfit. candidate?"

Prince Charles's faults, he adds, are easy to identify - "egotism and private extravagance among them. But he is sober, serious, conscientious about his duties."

Yes: It is an institution which provides continuity in an unstable world. It is a vital part of Britain's international image. Choosing a president who was not divisive would be extremely difficult.

No: It is something which is completely out of place in the 21st century. Nobody who might succeed the Queen commands the same respect - most members of the royal family are a liability.

Or... Fundamental changes must be made if it is to survive. Only working members of the royal family should have royal privileges. The heir to the throne should be the ablest, not the oldest, child.