Will Charles be Britain’s last monarch? It is the eve of his coronation. But very few people seem to care. Some think it could mark the beginning of the end for the Royal Family.
Four in five Brits tuning out of coronation
Will Charles be Britain's last monarch? It is the eve of his coronation. But very few people seem to care. Some think it could mark the beginning of the end for the Royal Family.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="crosshead"><strong>Dethroned</strong></h2>
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.. Eleven million more 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 - about 13.4 million people.1 Far fewer than in 1953. And far below the 29 million who watched Elizabeth's funeral.
The royals seem almost scared. A "ring of steel" of 11,500 police officers will guard them from the public.
There are many reasons for this decline. Britain is facing a cost of living crisis.2 By comparison, the privileged lives of the royals appear deeply unfair. A £50m to £100m ceremony only underlines the problem.
The royals themselves are also important. For Elizabeth's 70-year reign, we knew little about her. But we know a lot about Charles already. 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. .
Some believe that the royals' time is running out. The idea that one family deserves wealth and status seems unfair to many. Younger people may be its doom. In an April YouGov poll, 75% surveyed between 18 and 24 said they did not care "very much" or "at all".4
Others argue that the tension is exaggerated. People might not care about the coronation. But there is even less appetite for getting rid of the royals. As of April, only 26% of British people support it. They might just keep rolling quietly on.
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 CommonwealthOfficially called the Commonwealth of Nations, it was set up in 1926. There are 54 members in all. It grew out of the British Empire and many members, although not all, were former British colonies. and some in Scotland seek to leave the union, William V might be king of a much smaller domain.
Westminster Abbey - A large church in London. Many British kings and queens are buried there.
YouGov - A British public opinion and polling company. It was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative Party politician.
Prince Harry - The second son of Britain's King Charles III. He decided to leave the UK to move to the USA in 2020.
Commonwealth - Officially called the Commonwealth of Nations, it was set up in 1926. There are 54 members in all. It grew out of the British Empire and many members, although not all, were former British colonies.
Four in five Brits tuning out of coronation
Glossary
Westminster Abbey - A large church in London. Many British kings and queens are buried there.
YouGov - A British public opinion and polling company. It was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative Party politician.
Prince Harry - The second son of Britain's King Charles III. He decided to leave the UK to move to the USA in 2020.
Commonwealth - Officially called the Commonwealth of Nations, it was set up in 1926. There are 54 members in all. It grew out of the British Empire and many members, although not all, were former British colonies.