Monarchy - Past, Present...and Future? (Hardcover)

Few doubt the dedication and sense of duty of the current British monarch Queen Elizabeth II and 2012 was rightfully a celebration of this. However there are some interesting issues ahead which will address this country's Monarchy and its role in the fabric of the United Kingdom. The Queen is 87, but long before the end of her reign the future of the British monarchy will be examined. Any of these events will prompt questions about the future of Britain and its monarchy: the recent birth of Prince George to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; the debate surrounding the succession of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Should it skip a generation?; the Queen has a remarkable work ethic. How long can she maintain such a work load, and what effect would the death of the Duke of Edinburgh have on her?; the issues relating to the constitution of the UK - the future of the House of Lords, Scottish independence, and the future of the Established Church. The key question lies, however, in the institution's staying power beyond the current succession. Is it likely that Prince William's child will ever inherit the Crown? Will William be "the last"?