Are these the last rites of British world power? Today, global leaders will descend on London. But some think that the Queen represented an institution and image of Britain that is increasingly outdated.
World leaders gather for the Queen's funeral
Are these the last rites of British world power? Today, global leaders will descend on London. But some think that the Queen represented an institution and image of Britain that is increasingly outdated.
A royal farewell
"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. He was writing about life after World War One, but some think his words are relevant to Britain's monarchy and place in the world today.
Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully in her sleep. Many other royal families in history were not as lucky. Charles I of England and The French and Russian Royal families were all killed by their subjects.
It has been a long time since there has been a European revolution - but royal families in many other countries have lost the sense of pomp that exists in the UK.
As Queen Elizabeth is laid to rest today will this also be the beginning of the end for the concept of Royalty and Britain as a world power?
The Royal Family has been accused of racism.1 Only 42% have a positive opinion of the new King.2 Some question whether King Charles III will be able to live up to the popularity of his mother, and how this will affect how Britain is thought of by the world.
Now, some are calling for Britain to abandon its past traditions. "A proclamationA public declaration. of a new King is a moment that stands firmly against the values most of us believe in," says 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. . The Royal Family is now seen as more symbolic in Britain than powerful.
No one knows what Charles will be like as a king. But should the monarchy wither, it could be more than just the end to an unbroken line of Kings and Queens 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 is greater than its size. As the monarchy whimpers, some think British world power will whimper with it.
Are these the last rites of British world power?
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.
Keywords
Proclamation - A public declaration.
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.
World leaders gather for the Queen’s funeral
Glossary
Proclamation - A public declaration.
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.