Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s official Sapphire Jubilee portrait. Pic © David Bailey (via AP)
She ascended to the throne 65 years ago today and, for most British people, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the only monarch they have ever known.
Views about the Royal Family may have grown less reverential in recent decades, but it seems the Queen has generally retained the enduring respect and admiration of the public.
The very idea of the Queen no longer presiding as head of state is one that is somehow difficult to imagine, yet one day it will happen.
Hereditary procedure dictates that Prince Charles will succeed his mother as King, though some have suggested that his son, William, would be a better choice to carry on the role into the 21st Century.
To test the strength of opinion and feeling for the institution, JMU Journalism went out onto the streets of Liverpool to ask: “Should the monarchy continue to exist after the Queen?”
Views were mixed and lively. Scroll through the edited comments below to read the opinions gathered in our street survey.
YouTube: JMU Journalism
Reporting by: Andrew Livingston; Gabrielle Walsh; Laura Hughes; David Purcell; Andrew Cook; Rosie Steedman; Sam Heyhirst; Aaliyah Rugg; Alistair Baker; Josh Hodge; Hollie Hayes & Poppy Backshall.
Lynne Godfrey, 69, Crosby
“I still want there to be a monarchy, I just don’t want it to be Charles though. William and Kate, however, would make great leaders. I was four when the King died… I still remember it, it was all everyone was talking about.”
Shelia Dunbavin, 63, Cressington
“I would, yes, only for William and Harry, because I thought their mother was a lovely woman. For that reason I would [retain the monarchy]. If it was just Charles and Camilla then no. I don’t like Charles and I don’t like Camilla – actually she’s the reason I don’t like Charles.”
Susan Jones, 56, North Wales
“Yes, I should think so. I think the monarchy is a good thing, to be honest. I think Charles could do OK for a short time, but I’d like to see William next in line.”
Christopher Nelson, 60, Liverpool
“I used to be in the Army and the Queen is our head of the regiment, so of course I support the monarchy. The Royal Family does a lot for this country, not a lot of people see that these days. While Charles has been waiting a long time now, I would sooner see William be our next king.”
Frances Emmanuel, 67, Birkenhead
“I’ll still support the royals, but I don’t like Prince Charles. He wouldn’t be a good king, if you ask me. I don’t take much interest in it all to be honest, but that’s my view on it.”
Jasmine Dine, 22, Manchester
“No, I wouldn’t support it after the Queen. The whole thing should be abolished. It’s outdated, it doesn’t work and I don’t like the idea of unelected people – whether you’re Royal or not – having the ability to change things. If I had to pick somebody after the Queen, I would prefer William. He’s good-looking and younger. Charles is too old for the job now.”
Andrew Bennett, 28, South Africa
“I don’t believe one woman in a big house should have all of that power. Like, she could just dissolve parliament if she wanted to. I understand that she brings in a lot through tourism and that’s why people support it all, but I find the whole idea really strange.”
Sarah Smith, 21, Chester
“Yes, because they are rich for this country’s history and bring in a lot of tourism. Ending it after the Queen is a bad idea because of how popular they are.”
Terry Connor, 78, Liverpool
“No, because they just take everything out. Look at the way the government has treated the troops in league with the monarchy. I say to boys don’t ever ask me to give you advice about the military, I will say don’t go because even until this day you don’t get anything back after for it. This isn’t Great Britain anymore, it’s a scrapyard.”
Ethan Mavis, 18, Kirkby
“No, I’m not bothered because you don’t hear enough about them. I’ve been to Buckingham Palace. I suppose that’s good for the country because it gives it a bit of history.”
Laura Jones, 20, Bolton
“Yes [keep the monarchy] because I think having the Royal Family makes me proud to be British. It’s historical and going to visit anything to do with the Royals brings in a lot of money for the country. We’re one of very few countries who has a monarch so we should see ourselves as lucky.”
Karl Forbes, 33, Southport
“Yes, it is a good thing for Britain to still have a long standing monarchy and to last 65 years is just incredible. If we didn’t have her then we would end up like America and who would want that?”
Aimee Colton, 21, Warrington
“I don’t see the point in the Queen, to be honest. What does she even do for the lower class? I think Buckingham Palace should be scrapped because what’s the point? It serves no purpose.”
Frank Stonehill, 79, Bootle
“Oh yes, absolutely. I love the Queen, I’m British and proud. We should all love the Queen. It will be devastating for the country as a whole if she were to die soon. We need her but I’d support Charles just as much.”
David Shuttleworth, 27, Wavertree
“I have always been in the middle about it [the monarchy]. It brings in a lot of tourists and money into Britain, but at the same time when they are spending money on renovating Buckingham Palace, the money could go somewhere else. We have homeless people on the streets. The priority seems to be to fund the higher class I think she could do more. I don’t really think strongly towards either side, but I think I would support the monarchy.”
Rahima Rahman, 25, London
“Who’s going to be in power next? If it was William I would [keep the monarchy] but otherwise no.”
Ann McDonough, 62, Liverpool
“Yes, but not enthusiastically. They represent so much privilege, don’t they? Plus wealth that’s not spread around the rest of the population. It’s quite nice to have them there for ceremony and tradition so I wouldn’t get rid of them, but I wouldn’t be pushing for them to stick around.”
Joseph Murphy, 46, Liverpool
“I don’t support them at all. I’m a republican so I’m not a monarchist in the slightest. I think you’ll find most people in Liverpool are as well.”
Robin Bloxssidge, 69, Liverpool
“I’m not against the monarchy but I don’t necessarily support it. I think it’s had its day, so probably the answer to your question is no.”
Sue Kerr, 60, Liverpool
“Yes but I would prefer it to be William instead of Charles. I think Charles is past his time.”
Jonathan Quinn, 18, Liverpool
“No, not at all. Historically it [the monarchy] hasn’t been very nice to our family who are Catholics. I’m not bothered but it’s unfair on class and a waste of the tax payer’s money.”
Thomas Ellison, 57, Liverpool
“Yes, I believe in the monarchy. I wouldn’t say I was an out-and-out loyalist but I will still support them.”
Anne Prescott, 73, Liverpool
“Not really. I don’t believe in them, I’ve never really liked the royals.”
Jenny Wright, 42, Lancashire
“In a fashion, yes. The monarchy has been around for so long, what would be the point in changing anything now?”
John Powell, 48, Merseyside
“No, I don’t believe in it. They are too privileged, rich people who are just there… and for what reason?”