Britain faces a game of thrones

What future for the monarchy without its popular queen, asks John Lloyd

Prince William

A heavy cold and a nation shivers. The cold is that attributed, last week, to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. The shivers are those of the political establishment.

Everything of moment in the United Kingdom depends, formally, on the 90-year-old queen. She legitimises all laws. She appoints all ministers. Parliamentarians must swear an oath of fealty to her.