Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Platinum Jubilee celebrations come to a close: What happens next for the monarchy?

Royal biographer Robert Lacey, the historical consultant to Netflix’s hugely popular TV drama “The Crown”, said the queen was laying the ground for what comes next.

Platinum Jubilee celebrations come to a close: What happens next for the monarchy?

While millions watched the Platinum Jubilee festivities to thank Queen Elizabeth and reflect on her 70 years on the British throne, for the monarchy itself, the four-day celebrations have also very much been about looking to the future.

From parades in London and a party outside Buckingham Palace to a Service of Thanksgiving, many in Britain have been paying affectionate tributes to a 96-year-old who has reigned longer than any of her predecessors in 1,000 years.

But the queen's absence at many of the Jubilee events because of health issues meant the celebration of her reign provided a focus on the next monarchs, her son Prince Charles and his son William.

Royal biographer Robert Lacey, the historical consultant to Netflix's hugely popular TV drama "The Crown", said the queen was laying the ground for what comes next.

"The Jubilee had a double-edged significance," he told Reuters. "Yes, it celebrated the queen and what will one day be the past, but it's also provided a platform for the new formula and pattern for the future."

The queen missed out on most of the big Jubilee events due to what the palace calls "episodic mobility problems", which have forced her to cancel public appearances recently and have highlighted her advancing years.

In her absence, son and heir Charles,73, and his son William, the second in line, have been to the fore.

In a notable finale on Sunday, the queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace flanked by the three next monarchs - Charles, William, and his eldest child Prince George.

Journalist Tina Brown, a longtime observer of the British royalty, also said Elizabeth had been focused on succession.

"Her feelings and her sentiments right now are all about estate planning for the monarchy," she told BBC TV. "Her only care right now is that things should be put in a good order for Charles and that everything can be done to make his reign easier."

Brown and Lacey said that was why the queen used the actual 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne in February to announce she wanted Charles's second wife Camilla to be queen consort, removing any future controversy over her role.

FLUCTUATING FORTUNES
During Elizabeth's long tenure, the fortunes of the monarchy have often fluctuated, such as from a low that followed the 1997 death of Princess Diana, Charles's captivating first wife, to the highs of the wedding of grandson William and his spouse Kate, and the birth of their children.

The last three years have been particularly tough on the institution.

First, the queen's second son Prince Andrew was forced to quit public duties over his friendship with the late, disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, and he later settled a lawsuit with a woman who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 17.

He denied the allegation and has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, but his reputation was shattered.

Meanwhile, William's younger brother Harry and his American wife Meghan moved to Los Angeles from where they have delivered stinging attacks on Buckingham Palace, most notably an accusation of racism in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

"We're very much not a racist family," William said.

While both events stained the reputation of "The Firm", as Britain's royal family calls itself, opinion polls in Britain suggest the lasting damage has mainly been to Andrew and Harry themselves.

PROPORTION
Lacey said the Jubilee had reminded many people of the positives a monarchy brought, adding: "Charles and Camilla are associated with that in a way you would not have thought possible a few years ago."

But for all the celebrations this week and plans for the future, there remain some dark clouds on the horizon.

Polls show the queen is hugely popular and older Britons are overwhelming in favour of the monarchy, but they also indicate young people are far more indifferent and support has slipped over the last decade.

While Harry and Meghan have kept a low profile during the Jubilee, the prince is writing a memoir due to be released later this year that could contain more explosive details.

Barbados removed Elizabeth as its head of state last November and there is a growing feeling that republican sentiments will grow in the 14 other countries that have the British monarch as their queen.

The new centre-left Labor party in Australia, which voted against ditching the monarchy in 1999, has named the country's first "assistant minister for the republic".

"I don’t know that it will ever be the same when she’s not here any more, that’s how we feel about it (in New Zealand)," said Patricia Burrowes, 80, who travelled from Auckland for the Jubilee celebrations.

Some at the festivities felt the monarchy would remain integral to Britain even as the queen's role might be drawing to an end.

"It's easy to be critical of it and say it isn't for these times," said Ian Higgins, 62, a mental health nurse. "But I think having something that brings people together that isn't political but unites people is so important for this country, and the rest of the world loves it as well."

As to whether there would be a similar outpouring for Charles when he becomes king, the feeling was mixed.

"We'll have to wait and see," said Amanda Mackenzie, 51, a yoga teacher from London. "We'll have to wait and see."

More For You

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

Asim Munir

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

PAKISTAN’S army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (7) rejected Delhi’s allegation that his military received active support from longtime ally China in its conflict with India in May.

The Indian Army’s deputy chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, said last week that China gave Islamabad “live inputs” on key Indian positions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

Christine Kangaloo awards Narendra Modi with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago last Friday (4)

Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi met Argentine president Javier Milei in Buenos Aires last Saturday (5), urging the expansion of New Delhi’s preferential trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.

The bilateral talks with Milei were the latest in Modi’s whistle-stop diplomatic tour culminating in the summit of Brics emerging economies which began last Sunday (6) in Brazil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heatwave Alert: Don’t Leave Contraceptives or Medication in Cars

Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

iStock

Drivers warned to remove contraceptives and medication from cars during UK heatwave

Highlights:

  • Experts urge motorists to avoid leaving certain items in vehicles during upcoming heatwave
  • Temperatures expected to rise above 30°C across large parts of the UK
  • Contraceptives and common medications can lose effectiveness in high heat
  • Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

Drivers urged to act as UK braces for extended heatwave

Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove a range of everyday items from their cars ahead of a predicted heatwave, with experts warning that the rising temperatures could pose both safety and health risks.

The Met Office has forecast a prolonged spell of hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar into the low 30s on Thursday and Friday. Much of the UK is likely to hit its regional heatwave threshold by the weekend, with this episode potentially affecting a wider area and lasting longer than previous hot spells.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Mail

The Royal Mail logo is seen on the side of a van as the UK government clear a 3.57 billion pound takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in London, December 16, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Ofcom updates Royal Mail delivery targets, starts pricing review

MEDIA regulator Ofcom has set new minimum delivery standards for Royal Mail and revised existing targets in an effort to reduce delays. It also announced a review into pricing and affordability, amid concerns over rising stamp prices.

Royal Mail, which has faced fines of around $20 million over the past two years for not meeting delivery targets, is currently trying to modernise operations and focus more on parcel deliveries.

Keep ReadingShow less