With a string of scandals and in the midst of a country in crisis, could Prince Philip’s death have any impact on the survival of the British monarchy? The answer obviously is no, given the fact that the continuing existence of Royal Family has been one of the most lasting and enduring symbols of Britain’s glorious history.
Certainly, the Royal Family is facing an uncertain future but there are some traditions that die hard, especially those that have been part of a nation and its people’s lives for the longest time
THE death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and long-time consort of Queen Elizabeth II, last April 9 at the age of 99, came at a critical time for the Royal Family.
Certainly, the British monarchy is sailing on rough seas, with string of scandals and bombshell revelations as well as resurging doubts about its relevance in the modern world.
Did Prince Philip’s death mean anything for UK monarchy’s future?
In 2020, Prince Philip’s grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, American actress Meghan Markle, stepped away from their royal duties and moved to the US, where they said they would “work to become financially independent.”
They reportedly didn’t consult Harry’s grandmother, the Queen, and while they kept their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they had to give up some of the privileges that went with their royal roles.
Then this year, in an explosive interview with US talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, the couple revealed several incidents of alleged racism and emotional distress some members of the family had inflicted on them.
At one point, before their son Archie was born, a member of the royal family reportedly asked how dark the baby would be, the two claimed.
After the interview, there was so much speculation that the family member in question was Prince Philip.
Oprah, however, later clarified that the couple was neither referring to him nor to Queen Elizabeth.
The royal family was also tainted by the news of a friendship between Prince Andrew, the Queen’s third child, and Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
After a disastrous interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis, Prince Andrew announced that he would step back from public life.
While the death of a member of the royal family is typically an occasion for national unity, it comes at a time of deep crisis for the institution and for the United Kingdom.
The country has suffered one of the highest death rates in the world in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the impacts of its decision in 2016 to leave the European Union, colloquially known as “Brexit.”
Certainly, the Royal Family is facing an uncertain future but there are some traditions that die hard, especially those that have been part of a nation and its people’s lives for the longest time.
And one of those traditions is the existence of British Family, therefore it is safe to assume that Prince Philip’s passing would not spell the end of monarchy in the UK. (NP)
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