What is the Monarchy For?

Clancy, Laura (2025) What is the Monarchy For? What Is It For? . Bristol University Press, Bristol. ISBN 9781529234626

Abstract

Does the British monarchy still have a place in today's society? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'exit' cast light on institutional racism, multiple allegations around Prince Andrew highlighted troubling attitudes to gender and power, while the abolition of monarchy in Barbados accentuated its relationship to colonialism. But what is the monarchy actually for? Does it benefit the UK, or cause more harm than good? The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the dawn of the Carolean age makes these questions more pertinent than ever. Breaking longstanding myths around the monarchy, Clancy demystifies and evaluates the monarchy, showing why republicanism is nothing to be scared of.