Through all the ups and downs of the monarchy, it is evident that the people have always maintained a level of respect for the Queen. After all, during the rapid changes of the modern world, for 70 years the Queen has remained a constant in peoples’ lives. But, despite immense respect for the Queen, the very existence of the monarchy has become more and more contentious. So, will the Queen’s death truly be something that the monarchy can survive?
To be perfectly honest, while I don’t think the monarchy will survive in every country where the Queen is head of State after her death, I really do believe the monarchy will still remain. I find it hard to be convinced that an institution like the monarchy, would fully collapse after having survived hundreds of years with a significant influence on the world. A total collapse of the monarchy would not only invite big changes to the world, but chaos - a chaos that most of the world isn’t prepared to welcome. Consequently, the question shouldn’t be if the monarchy survives the Queen’s death because even if it loses a lot of power it’s unlikely that it will ever be fully abolished. Instead, the question ought to be, should the monarchy survive, should it be abolished?
The monarchy’s abolishment or survival is relative to the place, but for the purpose of this article I’ll focus only on Canada and the UK. I think the monarchy should be abolished in Canada (and possibly other countries where the monarchy is still the head of state), and here’s why. In the list of countries worldwide, Canada’s actually a pretty young country (1867), and in all of that time, the monarchy has been at its head. The UK has, no doubt, seriously influenced Canada. Even though I was young, I remember how big of a deal William and Kate’s marriage was even in Canada. It’s still at every Canadian citizenship ceremony that new citizens pledge allegiance to the Queen. It wasn’t until 1982 that Canada became fully independent from the British Parliament and since then Canada hasn’t had much time, if any, to figure out what ‘Canadian identity’ really is. That’s why I believe that if the monarchy left Canada, if not for anything else, it would allow Canada to go on a journey of self-discovery, as they say. It would allow Canada to figure out what it is without the influence of the UK.
But what about the UK? The monarchy is distinctively British. Unlike in Canada, if the monarchy was abolished in the UK, the UK would be left with an identity crisis. The monarchy adds so much to a unique British identity. Not only does it encompass the British spirit, but it brings people together. A great example of that would be the street parties and celebrations for the Queen’s seventieth jubilee this year. It’s not just that the monarchy plays a big role in British identity, but it does play a vital role in diplomacy as well. The Queen meets new and old world leaders all the time and builds important relationships with each of them.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is this (and I am generalizing here): in countries outside of the UK where the Queen is still head of state, like Canada, it doesn’t make much sense to keep the monarchy as it is a symbol of British influence. Like in Canada, the abolishment of the monarchy would mean a chance to forge a new national identity without British influence. But it’s for that very same reason, that the monarchy shouldn’t be abolished in the UK.
I truly believe that the monarchy, however narrowly, will survive the Queen’s death. The question that remains is if the monarchy should survive the Queen’s death. Should the monarchy be abolished?
Let me know what you think in the polls and comments below!