Most people in England agree that the Queen continues to be a unifying figure of the country. They also agree that she had conducted herself in a dignified manner all through her 57 years of rule. According to a Windsor Castle official, she has never put a foot wrong so far and has made sure she is not embroiled in any controversy. Changes in the Queen's circumstances and events in her private life necessarily had a public impact. Even when her family problems like Prince Charles's wedding and the subsequent divorce, Princess Diana's death, and Charles's remarriage to Camilla Parker, were focussed by the media, the Queen maintained a dignified silence.

After her accession to the throne in 1952, the queen tried in her own way to make the British monarchy more modern, more open and more accessible. For instance she replaced the presentation of debutants to a more subtle way of hosting lunches. The guest list for her garden parties was always eclectic. She gradually began to make use of television to give her Christmas messages, making it more informal. Documentaries like the Royal Palaces of Britain and the Royal Family had the royal sanction. The way she handled Princess's Diana's death after seeing the public mood was much appreciated. When an intruder was found in her room in June 1981, the Queen showed her compassion and even spoke to the intruder.

The Queen's biographer Elizabeth Langford has pointed out that the silver jubilee celebrations of her rule gave her enough confidence that her subjects really loved her. It was only in the late eighties that the Queen became concerned over the future of monarchy. . When her son showed that he was not interested in the throne, rumours began to float that she was planning to abdicate in favour of her grandson. This debate is still going on. Her family troubles grew with her children having a difficult family life. In the early seventies, there was a controversy when she sought more funds for herself but despite the criticism, she got the funds raised

The idea of abolishing the monarchy is not new in England but it is not taken seriously. This could also be because the Queen has no big role; what she does it is only ceremonial. Secondly the people continue to respect the Queen. (IPA)