I came here to apologise for wishing death on another human being - everyone has loved ones and they would not like to see this happen.
My original intent on posting this was to start a discussion on the future of the monarchy after the inevitable happens, a point which has sadly been overshadowed. The Queen is so loved a figure that she is supporting monarchism by herself; her heir apparent Prince Charles is nowhere near as popular, and with scandal hitting the family as a result of the Prince Andrew affair, questions can be asked louder than usual about the need of an unaccountable rich family having an (even symbolic) role in the governance and culture of the UK. Should the Queen die, that will surely expedite the issue after the mourning period is over.
In all honesty, I would quite like to see her hold on for quite a bit - I'd rather not have an event capture the nation's attention so the current Westminster government can duck the Downing Street party affair / create unpopular laws / both
