In much the same boat: Both mother and mother-in-law in their 90s with health problems, so not unsympathetic to women in that position, but I feel no particular impact from the death of the Queen. Looking back over the years I think the only point at which her existence has had any relevance to me was as a figurehead, a picture on the wall, for loyalty when I was a scout.
However, I can see how, as suggested by jeremyp earlier, people who do feel an impact are unlikely to engage seriously in a discussion of republicanism or constitutional reform at this time or on a channel where they are trying to express their emotions.
I agree with that but that's ignoring my point that by just shutting up you cede the entire conversation at a time of change to those saying how marvellous the institution is, and that's problematic. A friend is on a FB soup making group, and on Thursday, one of the admins said people shouldn't post soup recipes 'out of respect'. I doubt no matter how persuasive my arguments might be that I sm ever going to win such a person over to republicanism, but for those who are winnable, a flag that there is a conversation to be had is, I think, necessary else we end up back where it was argued to be rude to mention it when the Queen was still going.
One of the difficulties that has to be got round is that peooke could feel that it would be rude to talk about what happens to the monarchy because Chuck 3 has waited so long.
To an extent, I view this as all a bit of an intellectual exercise since it seems unlikely that we will see a change in the foreseeable future, and it's never been that high up my list of objectives, but I've seen enough much more fringe beluefs rise and become central over the years to think that it is not worth making the arguments.
