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29. Discuss the Monarchy and its changing image in Britain today.

During the 20th century the monarchy became more popular than ever before. George V, the grandson of Victoria, had attended the first football Cup Final match at Wembley Stadium, and royal attendance became an annual event

On Christmas Day, 1932, he used the new BBC radio service to speak to the people of the Commonwealth and the empire

His broadcast was enormously popular, and began a tradition. In 1935 George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee, and drove through crowded streets of cheering people in the poorest parts of London

To his own great surprise, George V had become a “people’s king.”

To his own great surprise, George V had become a “people’s king.”

However, in 1936 the monarchy experienced a serious crisis when George V’s son, Edward VIII, gave up the throne in order to marry a divorced woman.

However, in 1936 the monarchy experienced a serious crisis when George V’s son, Edward VIII, gave up the throne in order to marry a divorced woman.

ivorce was still strongly disapproved of at that time, and the event showed how public opinion now limited the way the royal family could act in private life

At the time it caused much discussion, and had remained a matter for heated argument

During the Second World War George VI, Edward’s brother, became greatly loved for his visits to the bombed areas of Britain

He and his wife were admired for refusing to leave Buckingham Palace even after it also had been bombed. Since 1952, when Elizabeth II became queen, the monarchy has steadily increased in popularity.

Today a large majority (67% of all people) think the monarchy is still relevant to national life, makes Britain more respected around the world and is better than any alternative

More people think the monarchy is a unifying national institution than one that divides the country and reinforces the class system