Royal family need to ‘stop taking our money’ says Republic CEO
The twilight of the Queen’s reign has been seen as a possible chance for the republican movement to grow in certain parts of the territories led by the Crown. Historian and member of the Australian Republic Movement Professor Jennifer Hocking believes the end of the current monarch’s reign will be crucial in fuelling a conversation in Australia about its future links to the Crown.
The emeritus professor at Monash University said the republican movement in her country won’t be bolstered by the fact that Prince Charles is to be crowned next but by the mere change taking place after the Queen’s long reign.
She previously told Express.co.uk: “I don’t think it’s a question of Prince Charles being more less or more liked than the Queen.
“Rather, politically is probably appropriate to talk about a shift towards a republic at the same time there will be a shift within the monarchy.
“And obviously the coming of King Charles is an appropriate point for that conversation.
Royal Family news: The Queen is the head of state of 16 countries (Image: GETTY)
Royal Family news: Australia held a referendum on the monarchy in 1999 (Image: GETTY)
“We are all very used to the Queen, she has been on the throne for so many decades, whole generations have only known one monarch.
“I think [the end of her reign] is an appropriate time to reconsider the role of the monarchy in a liberal democracy such as Australia.”
Now, Express.co.uk is asking its readers whether they will continue to support the monarchy even after the Queen’s reign ends or whether they will back the republican movement.
A recent poll conducted in Australia showed 40 percent of those surveyed don’t think the country should become a republic.
READ MORE: Kate Middleton makes drastic change to her appearance in new videos
Royal Family news: The Queen ascended to the throne in 1952 (Image: GETTY)
A poll ran by Ipsos for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and Nine News shows only 34 percent of those polled think an elected head of state would be the best option for Australia.
This marks the lowest support to the republican cause recorded in an Ipsos and Nielsen survey since 1979, according to the organisation’s director, Jessica Elgood.
A large part of the 1222 adults polled online between January 19 and 22, 26 percent, responded to the question ‘do you think Australia should become a republic?’ saying they didn’t know, marking the highest level of undecided responses on the issue recorded by successive Ipsos and Nielsen polls.
Australia held a referendum on the future of the monarchy in the country in 1999.
DON’T MISS
Royal Family news: Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the throne (Image: GETTY)
Royal Family news: The Queen is to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee next year (Image: GETTY)
Out of the 11,785,000 people who cast their ballot, 45.13 percent spoke in favour of a republic while 54.87 percent sided with the monarchy.
Australia isn’t the only country still led by the Crown with a strong republican movement.
In September last year, Barbados announced its intention to ditch the Crown and elect its head of state by the time it celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence.
The Queen, who ascended to the throne in 1952 following the death of her father King George VI, pledged aged 21 to serve the UK and the Commonwealth for all her life.
Royal Family news: Commonwealth member countries (Image: EXPRESS)
Last year, she quashed rumours she would stand down upon turning 95 by announcing plans for her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Next year, Britons will enjoy a four-day long bank holiday in June, when the Queen’s 70-year-long reign will be celebrated with a mix of traditional pageantry and technological display.
The Queen also remains steadily in the lead when it comes to popularity, according to a YouGov poll.
A survey carried out between July and October last year shows the monarch remains the most popular and most famous member of the Royal Family, with 78 percent of the 1080 people polled saying to have a positive opinion of the monarch.
Royal Family news: The Queen and Prince Charles at the Houses of Parliament in London (Image: GETTY)
The second-in-line to the throne, Prince William, also appears to have become hugely popular over the years, with 73 percent out of the 1206 people who were asked about him saying they held him in a positive light.
On the other hand, Prince Charles – who is set to become king after the Queen – came in sixth in the YouGov poll, with 47 percent of the 1165 people interviewed about the Prince of Wales saying they have a positive opinion of him.
Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales 51 years ago and in 2017 became the longest-serving royal in this role.
Four years ago, he surpassed the record held by Edward VII, Queen Victoria’s heir.
