Much has changed in the four decades of Queen Elizabeth ll's reign. The empire is long gone, and Britain's place in Europe has become more important than its role in the Commonwealth. The monarchy itself - after what the Queen called her annushorribilis - finds itself the subject of greater public controversy than at any time this century. To mark the 40th anniversary of the Coronation,
James Naughtie presents a debate on the future of the monarchy. With the help of senior politicians, journalists, academics and a representative audience of the public, he explores the arguments of those who believe the monarchy must change fundamentally if it is to play a positive role in the future life of Britain, and those who believe that as an irreplaceable part of our heritage it should reject further calls for change.
Producer Liz Hartford Executive producer David Dickinson