The monarchy Time for a change? Kate (or Catherine) and William are getting married on April 29. It means an extra day off school! But what else does it mean?

The Queen came to the throne in 1952

Charles and Diana were married in 1981

Prince Harry, Prince Charles (their dad) and Prince William in 2005 Prince Harry, Prince Charles (their dad) and Prince William in 2005. Their mother Diana was tragically killed in 1997

Now back to William and Kate

Social climber? Kate aged 3 ½ is actually a commoner

Just one of the souvenirs made to celebrate the royal wedding Just one of the souvenirs made to celebrate the royal wedding. How does the royal wedding make you feel? Excited? Proud to be British?

Or something a bit less positive?

The National Anthem “God save our gracious Queen! Long live our noble Queen! God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen.” How do you feel when you sing the National Anthem? Check out the full version http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/anthem.html

We live in the united KINGdom We speak the QUEEN’s English Our letters are delivered by the ROYAL mail. We pay taxes to HER MAJESTY’s tax collectors. We are defended by the ROYAL navy and the ROYAL airforce. Criminals are locked up at HER MAJESTY’s pleasure. Can the class think of any more royal references?

What powers does the Queen have? She is head of state so that means the Queen opens and dissolves parliament, asks the prime minister to form a government, introduces major bills for the coming year Here’s the Queen on her way to open parliament Royal approval A bill only becomes law when approved by the monarch

Friends in high places! David Cameron on his way back from the palace when the Queen gave him permission to become the Prime Minister.

The Royal Prerogative The queen has formal power to: Declare war Make peace Release everyone from prison Sell off all our military weapons Make everyone a Lord She may never do these things, but she COULD

How did the Queen get the job? She was Born to Rule! Inherited rule. Horrible Histories hilarious boy band the 4 Georges sing Born 2 Rule. Click the link embedded in the picture or see here http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/horriblehistories/song1.shtml

Republicans want to get rid of the monarchy Republicans want to get rid of the monarchy. They’d like supreme power to be held by the people or who they elect not an unelected monarch Monarchists or royalists want to keep the monarchy. Most people in the UK are monarchists – what about you? Republicans and monarchists

Does your idea of what makes you British revolve around the Queen? Explain how the UK doesn’t have a constitution.

Top of the toffs or does the Queen make us all equally below her?

Are the royals a tourist trap?

Your identity Britain is a multi-cultural, multi-faith country. Do you feel one white, upper class, protestant woman really represents everyone in it? Then again can anyone else do the job better? How does monarchy affect how people feel about their identity?

The future. If there is no change to the constitution when the Queen dies or abdicates Charles will become King.

Should we take a vote on whether Prince Charles should become King when the Queen dies or abdicates? Should we vote on what happens when the Queen dies – it might be time for a change!

Mary Robinson is the elected President of Ireland Mary McAleese is the elected President of Ireland An elected President can take on many of the roles the monarch does. But won’t exactly bring in the tourists!

The Debate Should we keep the monarchy? Or abolish it (Or do something in between) Let’s have a debate! The debate!

Back to the royal wedding. What are you doing on April 29th?