FlickrA respected British historian has made the bold claim that the British royal family could be on its ‘last legs’ as soon as 2030.
Dr Anna Whitelock, a reader in early modern history at Royal Holloway in London, has said that support for the monarchy is probably more to do with the Queen and not the ancient institution itself.
She claims this will lead to important questions about its future relevance, The Independent reports.
WikimediaShe explained that a number of profound questions are currently being held in check by the Queen’s popularity, including ‘what the hell do we want this kind of unelected family [for]? and ‘what does that represent in Britain today?’
The author suggested that once the Queen retires or dies, most likely in the next two decades, the British monarchy may find themselves challenged in a way that they’ve never been before.
WikimediaShe said:
I think there’ll be a discussion and a debate in a way that there hasn’t before… As the older generation who are generally more wedded to the monarchy die out, the question of the future of the monarchy will become even more pressing, and then potentially more critical voices will come to the fore.
I would say by 2030 there will be definite louder clamours for the eradication of the monarchy. I can’t say that there won’t be a monarchy. I would definitely say that the monarchy – its purpose, what it’s about, will be questioned and challenged in a way that it hasn’t been before.
I don’t think it’s out of the question that the monarchy would be potentially be on its last legs.
WikimediaSupport for the royal family during the last quarter of a century peaked during the Diamond Jubilee year of 2012 with 80 per cent being in favour of Britain remaining a monarchy.
However ‘Old Liz’ and her lot haven’t always been so popular, their support dipped to 65 per cent at the time of the Prince of Wales’s wedding to Camilla in 2005 and to 69 per cent in 1993 the year after the Queen’s ‘annus horribilis’.
Despite believing the monarchy is a doomed institution Dr Whitelock has a lot of respect for the Queen.
WikimediaShe explained:
Whether you are a monarchist or not, and even fervent republicans, I think, no one is saying whilst the Queen is alive the monarchy should be abolished…
Everybody, given her constancy and given her selflessness, thinks she’s a pretty amazing woman, regardless of where you stand on the monarchy debate.
The good doctor did hasten to add though that after the Queen’s death it may be a ‘free-for-all’ for who rules. I’ll be happy just as long as it’ not that drippy oik Charles…
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.