In 2022, King Charles III ascended the British throne after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who had reigned for 76 years. For more than a millennium, England has had a monarchy, a form of government in which a king or queen serves as head of state. Unlike in centuries past, however, the royal family today holds little formal power and serves a largely ceremonial function. Some wonder if the British monarchy has outlived its usefulness and should be abolished. Critics argue that the monarchy symbolizes Great Britain's checkered colonial past, drains the government and country of much-needed taxpayer funds, and is often the source of scandal and embarrassment. Supporters, however, argue that the monarchy symbolizes the nation's glorious imperial history, helps unify the British people, and acts as a moderating force in national politics. Should Great Britain retain its monarchy? Audio only.

Originally released by Intelligence Squared US, 2022. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on December 13, 2022.