Dethroned

June 1953. Twenty-seven million British people sat glued to the television as the fresh-faced 25-year- old Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster AbbeyA large church in London. Many British kings and queens are buried there.. Another 11 million listened in by radio.

Seventy years later, Britain is about to crown her successor. On Saturday, Charles III will sit on the throne. But this time around, the public mood is very different. 

A YouGovA British public opinion and polling company. It was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative Party politician. poll has found only 20% of British people likely to watch Charles' coronation - approximately 13.4 million people.¹ Far fewer than in 1953. And far below the 29 million who watched Elizabeth's funeral.

Far from celebratory, the royals seem almost scared. A "ring of steel" of 11,500 police officers will guard them from the public.

There are numerous reasons for this decline. Britain is facing a cost of living crisis.² By comparison, critics say, the privileged lives of the royals appear deeply unfair. A £50m to £100m ceremony only underlines the problem.

For Elizabeth's 70-year reign, we knew little about her. But we know a lot about Charles already, from his messy divorce to embarrassing memos and petty huffs. 

It is not just him. Scandal has dogged the Royal Family in recent years, from allegations against Prince Andrew, tax avoidance schemes³ and the war of words with Prince HarryThe second son of Britain's King Charles III. He decided to leave the UK to move to the USA in 2020. . Why, some say, should Britons respect the royals - never mind bow to them?

Some believe that the royal goose might be cooked. There is a sense that the family's existence is undemocratic. The principle that one family deserves wealth and status clashes with ideas of fairness.

Younger generations may be its doom. In an April recent YouGov poll, 75% surveyed between 18 and 24 said they did not care "very much" or "at all".⁴

Others argue that these tensions are exaggerated. People might not care about the coronation. But there is even less appetite for sacking the royals altogether. As of April, only 26% of British people wanted to abolish the monarchy.

Many like the fun the family brings. One 30-year old civil servantCivil servants help the government develop and carry out policies. They are non-political.  told The Guardian: "the monarchy provides an excuse for spectacular national events". Without such moments of pomp, what would Britain be left with?

Will Charles be Britain's last monarch? 

Yes: The monarchy lives on popularity and public goodwill. If it lacks both, there is no point in paying for it. Under Charles it will fade away into complete pointlessness.

No: Kings of England have gone mad, been slain in battle and executed by red-hot poker, but the monarchy still exists. A quiet period might not be a bad thing for its survival.

Or... He may not be the last to be crowned. But as countries flee the Commonwealth and some in Scotland seek to leave the union, William V might rule a very different kingdom.