Could reform lead to a British Trump? The death of the Queen has unleashed a storm of debate among under-35s who want to see either the end of the monarchy – or radical reform.
Time for a new debate say royal sceptics
Could reform lead to a British Trump? The death of the Queen has unleashed a storm of debate among under-35s who want to see either the end of the monarchy - or radical reform.
As a baby, Princess Elizabeth cried as the water was poured over her head on her christening day. It was, said commentators, "the last time she ever made a scene in public".
As a two-year-old, Winston Churchill said she had an "air of authority and reflectiveness".
When she became Queen, her supposed motto - "never complain, never explain" - was quoted time and time again as an emblem of British stoicismA philosophy that originated in the ancient world and still has many adherents today. Stoics seek to control their emotions and preserve their happiness in the face of adversity.. For many, she simply embodied Britishness.
As such, it is no surprise that her death has been accompanied by an unspoken "what now?". She has been praised as a "political genius" for her balance of diplomacy, mystery and sellability, but her successor, King Charles, is more unstable, haunted by controversy and bad press.
Elizabeth was seen by many as a buttressA supporter or defender against something. against the looming threat of autocracyA society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power. and populism. Her stability provided people with a figurehead to project an undying political loyalty onto. In her absence, the prospect of a populist politician who can claim to similarly embody the nation arises.
The question, then, is how far this fear verges on reality. In some ways, the British monarchy has had remarkable resilience. It is the only European monarchy that is still the head of an established church, and has a greater role in Parliament than its counterparts. Elizabeth had approval ratings sometimes hitting 75%, figures only dreamed of by politicians.
Yet in other ways, the monarchy under Elizabeth seemed to be weakening. Just last year, Barbados became the world's newest republic, shaking off the Queen as its head of state and forcing then-Prince Charles to acknowledge the "appalling atrocityAn extremely cruel or terrible act. of slavery" which took place under English colonial rule.
In another cause for fragility, the modern monarchy has become something of a media spectacle, the inspiration for hit biopics and shows such as Spencer and The Crown.
Optics may also cause problems for the Windsors. The UK is experiencing a cost of living crisis, an energy crisis and a shift towards recessionA period of economic decline. A recession occurs when a country's Gross Domestic Product falls for six months in a row. . Coronations and funerals alike are a costly and extravagant ordeal.
For some, the death of the Queen is an opportunity for a greater transition than simply adapting to life with a King: it is time to do away with the monarchy altogether. But others insist abolition would only lead to autocracy.
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question">Could reform lead to a British Trump?</h5>
Yes: This is a convenient time to peacefully split from the monarchy and invest its assets in resolving the economic crisis and inequalities.
No: Now more than ever, in this time of crisis, in Britain and beyond we need strong and familiar figureheads to guide our sense of national self.
Or... We should reserve our judgements until later in King Charles III's period of rule. For now, stability is key.
Stoicism - A philosophy that originated in the ancient world and still has many adherents today. Stoics seek to control their emotions and preserve their happiness in the face of adversity.
Buttress - A supporter or defender against something.
Autocracy - A society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power.
Atrocity - An extremely cruel or terrible act.
Recession - A period of economic decline. A recession occurs when a country's Gross Domestic Product falls for six months in a row.
Time for a new debate say royal sceptics

Glossary
Stoicism - A philosophy that originated in the ancient world and still has many adherents today. Stoics seek to control their emotions and preserve their happiness in the face of adversity.
Buttress - A supporter or defender against something.
Autocracy - A society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power.
Atrocity - An extremely cruel or terrible act.
Recession - A period of economic decline. A recession occurs when a country’s Gross Domestic Product falls for six months in a row.