Does the British monarchy still have a future?
On their Caribbean trip to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, Prince William and Kate Middleton were confronted with protests and debates about colonialism, slavery and compensation, as well as calls for independence from the British royal family- although they were actually there to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Commentators note that this does not bode well for the British monarchy.
Not even William and Kate can fix this
The monarchy's slow march towards its death is unstoppable, the Irish Independent is convinced:
“The royal bandwagon won't end tomorrow or next year. ... But the institution as it's survived for centuries is on borrowed time, and not even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge can save it. That's a serious matter, because, for the royals, William and Kate are as good as it gets. They're young, non-stuffy, with as much humility and humanity and humour as anyone belonging to one of the world's weirdest, wealthiest families might expect to exhibit. But even that's not enough to keep the forces of change at the gate. ... If William and Kate can't save the royal family, then nothing can.”
Revolutionary spirit needed
It will take a drastic change for the monarchy to survive, The Times believes:
“The new king will need to out-revolutionise the revolutionaries ... The head of state of the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Bermuda and various other far-flung territories should visit not to dance around to some steel drums but to hand in his P45. Barbados is the most recent domino to fall to republicanism, Jamaica teeters. In Australia and Canada support for the monarchy is dwindling. King Charles should jump before he is pushed ... If those leading the monarchy are bold, they can silence their critics for a generation.”