<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">A royal farewell</h2>

"This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but with a whimper."

These are the words of poet TS Eliot, written in 1925. Some think they are still relevant today. But it is not the world that is ending, it is Britain's monarchy and status as a world power. 

Prince Charles has now become King Charles III. Many of his predecessors met violent ends. Charles I was beheaded outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall. In Europe, the French Royalty were executed during the "Terror" of the French Revolution.

The age of European revolutions has long since passed. But many of the 12 remaining European monarchies have lost the sense of pomp and ceremony. Their royal families play a much smaller role.

In this landscape, Britain seems like an exception. The Queen's funeral will feature marching sailors and a crown containing 2,868 diamonds. But some think the funeral of Elizabeth II also marks the beginning of the end for the concept of royalty and Britain as a world power. 

The Royal Family has in recent years been accused of racism and sexual misconduct.¹ Today, many people are uneasy about the link between royalty and colonialism. Only 42% have a positive opinion of the new King Charles III. ²

Recent gaffes surrounding leaky fountain pens and anger at the King firing his former staff have led people to question how King Charles will affect Britain's reputation. 

This has led to calls for Britain to abandon its past traditions. "A proclamation of a new king is an affront to democracy, a moment that stands firmly against the values most of us believe in," states the campaign group Republic. 

But others think that the monarchy has already modernised enough to survive. Britain has been a constitutional monarchyA monarchy is which the king or queen acts as head of state but whose power is limited by a constitution. since the days of Charles IIThe King of Scotland from 1649 to 1651 and the King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 to 1685. . Parliament makes and passes legislation, not the King.

The Royal Family is now seen as more symbolic in Britain than powerful - a harmless tradition that brings in tourists and is ultimately preferable to an elected head of state. 

No one knows how Charles' reign will pan out. But should the monarchy wither, it could be more than just the end to an unbroken lineage stretching back 1,000 years. 

For now, Britain's monarchy is still undoubtedly connected to the country's image around the world as a nation whose global influence vastly outstrips its size. As the monarchy whimpers, some think British world power will whimper with it. 

Yes: The monarchy is old-fashioned and has no place in a democracy. Leaders are paying their respects to Elizabeth II, but most regard the monarchy and British world power as an anachronism from an earlier time. 

No: In troubled times Britain needs the stability afforded by institutions such as the Royal Family. Britain is still hugely powerful in the world, and the monarchy helps make it so. 

Or... Britain will be powerful in the world with or without a monarchy. But a new King is a good time to reinvent the role of the monarchy and to ensure its survival. This conversation is premature.

Constitutional monarchy - A monarchy is which the king or queen acts as head of state but whose power is limited by a constitution.

Charles II - The King of Scotland from 1649 to 1651 and the King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 to 1685.