A debate on the monarchy seems timely with recent events
To learn of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s “hybrid” split from the monarchy to form a cross-Atlantic progressive duo should not come as a shock. Since their wedding in 2018, the media have fixated on their every move to analyse the internal workings of a global family when a fan-favourite prince married an American actress. Although the news is unprecedented in its scope, Markle’s minor yet grossly exaggerated republican movements since her appointment as Duchess of Sussex have sparked a whirlwind press storm.
The British royal family have seen their fair share of scandal in the modern era. From the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, to the fledgling relationship between Charles and Camilla to the egregious death of the world’s most famous princess; Diana. Recently, scandals have taken a darker turn under the midst of an underage sex scandal involving the Queen’s forgotten about yet unruly son, Prince Andrew. Andrew’s involvement with the disgraced late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, has ticked off swathes of the public once his actions avoided any reproach or enquiry by law enforcement officials.
The royal family have struggled with expressing a public face of solidarity and stability whilst certain members of the institution go rogue. It’s been a rocky year for the Queen’s offspring with the persistent bruising from the media still as firm as 1997. Her involvement in politics has faced universal outcry when she was coerced into consenting to a prorogation of parliament via smears and lies from an authoritarian Conservative party. It is no wonder a prospective Labour leadership candidate, Clive Lewis, has pledged to call a referendum on the abolition of the monarchy if ever prime minister. Republicanism by British leftists has resurfaced under the popularity of Jeremy Corbyn.
Although republicanism has been espoused by prominent figures of the British left due to the gross inequality it represents between the rich and poor, anti-royal sentiment has failed to gather significant momentum over the years. Every poll surveyed resulted in 70% of respondents believing the monarchy should remain intact, whilst around 1 in 5 have been intrigued by a republic democracy. When 14 million people live in poverty, why is it considered the norm that a family should own such decadent properties and wealth through taxpayer funding? Why should the British public accept the monarchy as part of the fabric of British society when two influential figures within it don’t want to be included themselves?
As time goes by and more details of “Megxit” come to light, it is a perfect opportunity for republican surrogates to foster the burgeoning sentiment from cynical Brits. The most captivating series on Netflix right now, The Crown, also assists in providing the salacious goings-on of the world’s most famous family. A recent episode portrayed the Queen to be completely out of touch with the nation when she reacted coldly to the Aberfan disaster of 1966. Her inherent unawareness to British daily life and its public has allowed republicanism to discuss the consequences of having such a beloved royal family as part of its heritage.
The likes of the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge are said to be grappling with the “Megxit” news as they seek a smooth transition. Britain’s longest-serving monarch has faced days of reckoning throughout her tenure, but never such significant ones so close together in time. It is natural for the British public to express a level of disdain at the wrangling of a family their hard-worked cash pays for. With its soap opera legacy, the monarchy has always been captivating to onlookers. Now, with such irreconcilable accusations and derisions forming, a debate on the monarchy’s future and its involvement in Britain’s culture deserves to be heard.
