Katie Curtis, Canvey Island

Me and my family are very much Royalists. My second name is Elizabeth to commemorate the Queen. My brother's baby will be born this Jubilee year and my aunt was born in 1952. My mum was born the same year as Prince Charles.

I feel that if William was King that he would be very popular with the young and old alike. But the Queen is a very switched-on lady and should stay on the throne. It's just a pity she's married to Phillip - he really does let her down sometimes when he speaks out of turn.

As someone who is training for the Anglican priesthood, I think that the Church of England must become dis-established. Moreover, the role of the monarchy for the twenty-first century must surely be as a unit to help and speak for whatever society in the 'United Kingdom' becomes, as time moves on.

The 'riches' and 'privileges' which the Royal Family affords will need to be reconsidered and the Royal Family of the future will need to cleave much more closely to the real lives of "ordinary" people.

During the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations, I was taken by my parents to see her when she visited Scunthorpe.

The future of the monarchy is a difficult issue; people are no longer prepared to accept the idea of unequal rank or wealth as readily as they once did. They resent the royal family being so wealthy as the recent debate over inheritance tax shows.

However, there is a lot to be said for tradition. It keeps many tourists visiting and provides a sense of continuity which I feel is a good thing.

Uma Doraiswamy, Swindon

Uma, OK for now

I'm not opposed to the monarchy, and think the Royal Family are enjoying a wave of public adulation thanks to the Golden Jubilee, not seen since Prince Charles married Diana.

Despite calls for the Queen to "quit whilst she is ahead", if she lives as long as the Queen Mother did, and doesn't abdicate, Charles will not be King until he is 80...is this what we really want?

Izzet Hickmet, London

In modern life we are led to believe we live in a meritocracy where position is gained through ability, but this is a fallacy. Forget qualifications, competence or credibility the only factor to determine who becomes head of our government, legal system and military is our parents.

How can we begin to live in a classless and fair society when the process of selecting our ruler perpetuates and dignifies the elitism that sickens us?

Chris Chisholm, Glasgow

The monarch and the rest of the Royal Family are a great asset to the UK and the Commonwealth. They make the nations seem like one large family. They have provided a lot of support and coverage to a lot of organisations and events over the last 50 Years.

Kamal Mullan, London

I am proud of the monarchy and especially the Queen, she has indeed handled all past and present situations well.

Having said that, the nation needs to be happy with the monarchy and the way it interacts with it. No interaction, then there's no monarchy for the future, or at least the monarchy will find itself disappearing. With the Queen around the monarchy is here to stay. She is the foundation of the monarchy. Long live the Queen.

Coriander Aird-Fairley, London

The first family dog in my life was bought over the weekend of the Silver Jubilee and was called 'Merry' to celebrate. Now I am marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee in my own personal and special way - by getting married in August and we're having our Banns read in Church on June 2nd!

I am in favour of keeping a British monarchy. Our system of government is respected worldwide and has remained relatively stable for centuries. The only things that I do not support are the tax and death duty exemptions and I am in favour of reducing the benefits which the Royals, who are not immediately in line to the throne, get.

Patrick Dickinson, London

I believe that a country should celebrate the diverse parts of its union and not come together purely to praise an individual, or a family. Instead we should celebrate ourselves, our achievements and the honour, integrity and sense of justice that makes Britain great.

With a monarchy heading a country, with people of inherited class and money at the top, how can we expect to have a nation that aspires to hope and glory and doesn't just celebrate the past?

Lizz Frater, West Sussex

I was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Jubilee Frater. At school I was a little embarrassed by the names, but later they got annoying, especially filling in forms.

Just before I was born, my older sister Angela wrote to Buckingham Palace and asked the Queen and Prince Philip for their full names. They replied - I think we have two or three letters from them.

Narinder Bains, Middlesex.

William fan, Narinder

It's easy to be distracted from the real issues concerning the Monarchy when Prince William is constantly in the media spotlight. One cannot help but admire his manners, and gorgeous smile.

As a Jubilee baby I treasure memories of visiting Windsor Castle on school trips and have kept mementoes of Charles and Diana's wedding. While I'm proud to live in a country represented by a Royal family, it is unclear what their future direction and purpose might be.

Samantha Bates, Derbyshire.

I feel lucky that I was born in the Silver Jubilee year. It's a year that will be remembered forever.

The only negative thing for the future of the Queen is that a lot of 'royalists' are from older generations. I think the Queen needs to be seen as a 'people person' to ensure everyone appreciates her, as has been seen in recent weeks with her thank you speech regarding the death of her mother.

Amanda Sheldrake, Slough

People of my generation may not necessarily have much interest in the monarchy. Without doubt it is an integral part of our heritage and the Queen is loved the world over - this is evident when I attempt to do my weekly shopping in Windsor - there are hoards of tourists all year round!

I do not agree with calls for the abolition of the monarchy. However, a more informal, less structured monarchy may be the way forward.

Ellie Milne, Arundel

I feel we should all love and support the Queen and her family, instead of constantly criticising the way she lives her life and manages her public duties.

Abbi Wilson, Crouch End

I will be celebrating the Jubilee. It is one of the few causes for celebration which people of all ages and with different views can enjoy (unlike the World Cup!)

I think the fact that the younger royals seem "human" is important for the future, because in 20 years the Queen and her peers won't be around, and we need someone who people can imagine having a real conversation with, without worrying about protocol e.g. touching the wrong elbow etc...!

Elizabeth Aldred, Dulwich

The royal family is consistently good for tourism especially with places like America, where the idea of a royal family is highly romanticised. The Royal family also does a lot to raise awareness of issues and charities which may otherwise be ignored.

However I think that the monarchy should be updated so young people have something they feel they can identify with rather than an old institution that bears no relation to modern day living.

Josie Verghese

Josie - red, white and blue

The monarchy need to reflect and represent our richly multi-cultural and multi-faith society. I find it ironic for the Queen's speech to refer to Britain's multi-faith society when if one of her family so much as marries a Roman Catholic they forfeit any right to succession.

My only personal experience with the royal family is limited. I had a brief meeting with the Duchess of York back in 1989. I had spinal surgery and she came to visit the hospital I was in. My abiding memory is her asking me if I would like a TV on the ceiling above me to make it easy to see. My answer was obviously "yes" - and was she offering?

Rebecca Tite, Twickenham

From a PR point of view I think the Royal family as a whole need to be more real. There is so little press access - I think it would be great to see the Queen interviewed in OK Magazine, talking about her everyday life.

Rather than be afraid of their lifestyle I think they need to be more open about it - this is, after all what attracts us to many celebrities, reading about how the other half live! People are more interested Victoria Beckham's opinions rather than the Queen's.

Suzanne Lord, Rochdale

I like the idea of having a monarchy; they play an important role in our country although what they do is not always obvious. They're ambassadors for our nation and the money that they bring in through tourism is testament to the high regard other countries hold them in. It's events like the Jubilee, that really foster a good community spirit and this can only be good.