The British royal family might support the move to shift the United Kingdom as a republic from a parliament because this will ultimately end their "goldfish bowl" lifestyle, a royal expert believes.
Former BBC journalist Jennie Bond said that Queen Elizabeth and the royals might be "fine" if the country decides to let an elected president become the head of state, which will abolish the monarchy.
Bond, in an interview with Platinum Magazine's January issue that being in the royal spotlight can't do justice to the Queen or even Prince Charles, who has "earned a lot of respect" over the years. However, the journalist also conceded that having the Queen in the background, and sometimes in the foreground, provides a quiet comfort for the people of the U.K.
The royal expert has written several books about the royal family and Queen Elizabeth as a royal reporter in the 1990s. She also sat down with Princess Diana, who told her that she wanted to do the controversial Panorama interview to get her story out before she's given a gag order when she divorces Prince Charles.
The issue of the U.K.'s shift to a republic has been going on for years. Discussions were revived in September following Barbados' decision to move away, effectively removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state by November 2021. Barbados is a member of the Commonwealth.
A royal historian said that Australia, which is also a Commonwealth member, might be next to push for republicanism in the next two years. Professor Jenny Hocking of the National Committee Member of the Australian Republic Movement said that they have the majority support in the land down under.
It comes as a republican advocate has warned Prince William that he must start walking away from the monarchy as well, just like his brother Prince Harry, who hated their goldfish bowl lives. Republic CEO Graham Smith said that Prince William and his father, Prince Charles, who will rule after the Queen passes on, will try to shake things up in the monarchy.
But Smith said that the way the Charles and William will rule won't be welcomed by the British people. Thus, they will not receive the same public support as Queen Elizabeth, which will, then, threaten the monarchy's future.
However, supporters of the future heirs said that Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne and was crowned during a different era. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes that the institution of the monarchy has always adapted and survived the changing times. Both Prince Charles and Prince William have also demonstrated that they are forward-thinkers whose ideas are a welcome change for some of their soon-to-be subjects.
