British anti-monarchy group says royal popularity waning
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From the U.S. sex abuse court case facing son Prince Andrew to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife's allegations of racism in the royal household, rarely has the family of 95-year-old Elizabeth, who became queen on Feb. 6, 1952, faced such scrutiny and damaging headlines.
Such is the depth of respect for the queen that while she lives, the institution that goes back nearly 1,000 years looks safe. What comes next is less certain.
"The monarchy and the queen are synonymous for most people," Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, which has stepped up its campaigning, told Reuters.
"Once we're past the end of the queen's reign, all bets are off as to where public opinion is going to go."
He said while only an act of parliament would be needed to end the monarchy, it was highly likely there would have to be a referendum first.
