The function of the monarchy as an institution in British society, for the Commonwealth, and globally

Abstract

Sixteen months before the death of our Queen, OPUS held a Study Day with thirty participants on the function of the monarchy in British society, the Commonwealth, and globally. Perceptions of the monarchy clustered into either very positive perceptions or equally negative views. The positive perception was especially of the Queen in her role; the equally negative view was either in the perception of the "scaffolding" around the monarchy, her court, or in how the class structure with its negative consequences for society emanates from the existence of the monarchy. Another negative perception of the monarchy was as a colonising power whose actions often had destructive consequences for many different nations. In between, we had two sets of feelings: on the one hand, feelings of shame about past and present behaviours, particularly as a coloniser; and on the other hand, a powerful dependency on the monarchy, certainly amongst those English people present, and focused on the person of the Queen. Related to this was anxiety about the succession to the throne, about monarchical competence, and about whether the monarchy could provide containment of the Union, or whether the UK will break up into its constituent parts.