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, when London was a place of post-war disillusionment and despair. 

Nearly 100 years on, as world leaders gather in the same city to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, there are some that think his words are still relevant today. But this time, it is not the world that may be ending. It is Britain's monarchy, and with it the county's elevated status on the world stage. 

Already, King Charles III has ascended to the throne. His reign is unlikely to end with a bang. 

Many European monarchs of history were not so lucky.  Charles I met his match in the English Civil War, beheaded outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall. The French Royalty came to a grizzly end via the guillotine in what became known as the "Terror". And the Russian Czar and his family were executed in a frenzy of retributionA punishment given to somebody who is perceived to have done something wrong. following the Russian 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 reputation of the Royal Family has been tarnished in recent years. Allegations of racism and sexual misconduct have fed into a growing unease around the link between royalty and colonialism.¹

Today, 75% of people have a positive opinion of the late Queen Elizabeth II. For the new King Charles III, the figure is only 42%.² Recent gaffes surrounding leaky fountain pens and the firing of his erstwhileFormer. staff have led people to question whether or not the new King can live up to the popularity of his mother. 

Now, some are calling for Britain to abandon its feudalRelating to a social system which is organised by rank. past.  "A proclamation of a new king is an affront to democracy," declares campaign group Republic. It is "a moment that stands firmly against the values most of us believe in, values such as equality, accountability and the rule of law". 

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 Queen was the last British royal to see an empire. The idea of a divine rightThe idea that a monarch receives the right to rule directly from God. of kings has long since passed. 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. 

Loved or loathed, 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. 

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 the Queen, but most regard Elizabeth II as an emblem of Britain's waning power.

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 ensure its survival. This conversation is premature.