British parliamentary democracy has survived the most tumultuous stages in contemporary European history without destroying its continuity. Its system of government has given it flexibility that other countries more trapped in their legal frameworks and constitutional rigidities lack. Therefore, when the eccentricity, megalomania or the unpopularity of a politician or public figure starts to become a problem, the system does not hesitate to let go and move to another phase. In the case of Boris Johnson, the Ides of March is at hand. In the case of Prince Andrew, drowning in terrible trial where she was accused of sexual harassment for minors, Elizabeth II has made it clear in recent hours that the main purpose of the House of Windsor is to ensure its own survival, whoever falls.

Conservative politicians have become the most popular in recent decades, but has succeeded in emphasizing by its behavior all institutions from within and outside the country. He forced the intervention of the Supreme Court when he unilaterally imposed a shutdown of parliamentary activity to carry out his Brexit plan. The judges themselves had to create legal intelligence to preserve the queen, whom Johnson was complicit in abusing of that power. He then provoked an uprising in the House of Commons assembly, when he wanted to change the law to save the corrupt MP – Owen Paterson – and, incidentally, protect himself from future investigations. This has been able to open an unprecedented emotional and political rift between the UK and the EU. It is not the Brexit divorce, but the deceit, half-truths and intimidation that London has put into the development of the agreed separation that has caused a gap that will take at least a generation to mend. Finally, the Downing Street banquet scandal, while the British were in confinement that didn’t even allow them to say goodbye to their loved ones, had broken Johnson’s spell. Conservative MPs have received countless letters from their voters with expressions of anger, frustration and disappointment. Politicians who guarantee election victory with their charisma and friendliness have become a problem that sooner or later they must get rid of.

The urgency that destroyed Buckingham Palace was different, though equally or more serious. Elizabeth II today maintains unwavering popularity and citizens and institutions will turn to 2022 to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary of the longest reign in history. But the institution’s future is not guaranteed, unless a new generation stamps out the abuse of recent years and once again demonstrates its usefulness. That is why William of England, second in line of succession, was decisive in imposing strict social and public ostracism on his uncle Andrés.