Republicans see small opening after Elizabeth's passing

Visitors walk past Australian flags flying at half mast outside Parliament House in Canberra on Friday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Australia’s Labor government named the country’s first “assistant minister for the republic” when it came to power in June this year. In 1999, 55% of Australian voters backed keeping the monarchy in a referendum, but recent opinion polls offer a less clear-cut view. (Reuters Photo)

LONDON: During Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign, republican rumblings surfaced on occasion, but the affection and respect she enjoyed meant that the movement to do away with the monarchy struggled to make a lasting impression.

Now, with her death and the accession of her less popular son Charles, republicans believe that the end of the 1,000-year-old institution could be a step closer.