Should they stay or should they go? It is the question that has surrounded the British monarchy for years. The issue tends to raise its head during events of major royal significance.
The British public still has a high regard for Queen Elizabeth II but over the years, trust in the royal family has been diminished by her children. Ingrid Seward from Majesty Magazine said: “They have no power. There are only there because of their influence and their influence is only relative due to their popularity.”
The royal who captured the hearts and minds of people in Britain and around the world was Princess Diana. Her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981 is one of the most memorable events in living royal history. Hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the couple. It is believed that wedding, which took place at St Paul’s Cathedral, was watched by a global TV audience of 750 million.
The marriage of their eldest son is likely to revive interest in the royals. For decades the royal family has had coverage for all the wrong reasons. The 1990s was particularly hard for the monarchy with two divorces, including that of Charles and Diana and the fire at Windsor castle.
After a number of broken marriages within the royal family, Kate and William have a daunting responsibility to shoulder and expectations will be high. Kate will serve as a link between the public and the royals even as she tries to master married life.
When Kate and William do take up their roles they will encourage new interest in the Royal family. (the source http://www.euronews.com/2011/04/14/the-great-uk-monarchy-debate/ )
II. Reading
A. See if you know the following words and word combinations. Consult a dictionary if necessary. Complete the sentences below with a correct word or phrase from the list.