-:Undertaker:-
16-06-2014, 12:05 AM
Should Queen Elizabeth II abdicate if and when she is unable to perform her duties?
http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/106/590x/Untitled-1-481115.jpg
With the latest European monarch - King Juan Carlos I of Spain (above) - to abdicate within a few days, rumours and opinions on whether Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will also abdicate in their old age has been rife. The reason? In recent years, abdication for an elderly monarch has become very much the method preferred on the continent with King Albert II of Belgium, Queen Beatrix I of the Netherlands and Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican all abdicating within the last year.
The rationale behind abdication is that monarchs no longer need to rule until death as the role is no longer one of executive power and that with life expectancy being so long nowadays, barring unusual circumstances, the heir to the throne (Prince Charles is 66) is increasing near pension age when he or she eventually comes to assume the role of King or Queen. There is also the constitutional confusion that is caused by the question of what happens if the monarch becomes very frail and unable to perform duties, or mentally unstable as the former Queen Juliana of the Netherlands did (although long after she had abdicated).
On the other hand, many - including Queen Elizabeth II - view the role of the sovereign as a religious duty that is meant to be fulfilled until death. The notion of serving until death also has constitutional history in terms of Britain and Denmark, with the Netherlands instead having a century long tradition of abdications.
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http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/106/590x/Untitled-1-481115.jpg
With the latest European monarch - King Juan Carlos I of Spain (above) - to abdicate within a few days, rumours and opinions on whether Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will also abdicate in their old age has been rife. The reason? In recent years, abdication for an elderly monarch has become very much the method preferred on the continent with King Albert II of Belgium, Queen Beatrix I of the Netherlands and Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican all abdicating within the last year.
The rationale behind abdication is that monarchs no longer need to rule until death as the role is no longer one of executive power and that with life expectancy being so long nowadays, barring unusual circumstances, the heir to the throne (Prince Charles is 66) is increasing near pension age when he or she eventually comes to assume the role of King or Queen. There is also the constitutional confusion that is caused by the question of what happens if the monarch becomes very frail and unable to perform duties, or mentally unstable as the former Queen Juliana of the Netherlands did (although long after she had abdicated).
On the other hand, many - including Queen Elizabeth II - view the role of the sovereign as a religious duty that is meant to be fulfilled until death. The notion of serving until death also has constitutional history in terms of Britain and Denmark, with the Netherlands instead having a century long tradition of abdications.
There are plenty of nifty prizes to be won within this forum. Positive contributions towards official debates will sometimes be rewarded with a month's VIP subscription in a colour of your choice as part of the Top Contributor award. As well as this, reputation will be awarded throughout the debate to those who make valid and constructive posts. Those who make the best contributions within a month win the Debater of the Month award and wins themselves a month's worth of forum VIP and 10 reputation points. Finally, those who create debate topics that generate a lot of buzz and engaging discussion will receive 20 reputation points.
The debate is open to you.