I think the Queen is far too popular for a republic referendum to happen in her lifetime. Granted Charles would certainly help the cause, but I think that if th

I think the Queen is far too popular for a republic referendum to happen in her lifetime. Granted Charles would certainly help the cause, but I think that if the throne passes to William then his beautiful family will probably fill the gossip pages (and hence the minds of the masses) for generations to come. On balance, the monarchy does actually provide the UK with an unquanitifiable mystique that you don't really appreciate until you've lived abroad for a while (I've been away since 1998 and I'm just beginning to appreciate the seductive power available to top UK businesses through Royal connections). I think that if you are a visiting dignitary / trade envoy to the UK and your host swings you an invite from "The Queen of England" to Buckingham Palace for dinner, you've been beaten. So, despite the seeming overt display of opulence at tax payers expense, they probably do pay their way.