GETTY The Queen's death and Prince Charles becoming King could provoke a constitutional crisis

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George Hollingberry, a Government whip, paid tribute to the 90-year-old monarch but said her death would be a dangerous time for the monarchy, as her eldest son's interventionist style might not be palatable. In a column in his local daily newspaper, the Portsmouth News, Mr Hollingberry said the Government would need to be aware of the dangers to avoid a constitutional crisis. His warning came hours before Charles's younger son, Prince Harry was due to meet D-Day veterans at General Dwight D Eisenhower's pre-invasion headquarters, Southwick House, just north of Portsmouth in Mr Hollingbery's Meon Valley constituency.

Prince Charles may well want to be a different head of state George Hollingberry

In the article, hidden away towards the back of the newspaper, Mr Hollingbery said the Queen had been a superb head of state. He warned: "Her dedication to duty and sheer hard work has won respect around the world, but there could be serious problems ahead. "Royal commentators and constitutional experts believe she will die with the monarchy safe here in the UK and Commonwealth, but I would like to add a note of caution to that assessment because I fear they have yet to fully address what will happen on her death, which I hope is many years away."

GETTY The MP said the Commonwealth countries are Elizabethists

He said most people in Britain and Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand were happy to have her as their head of state. He said: "They are not monarchists, they are Elizabethists out of sheer respect for her and her alone; and there the danger lies. The Queen has been our head of state for so long everyone accepts her role and, crucially, how she successfully chooses to do it - quietly without fuss or controversy.

GETTY Prince Charles is seen as having a more interventionist style

"Her death will put the monarchy's position and its future sharply into perspective. In Australia and, perhaps, even New Zealand, there has to be a big question mark over whether Prince Charles will remain as King in those countries. Another question is: will King Charles III be head of the Commonwealth? "And what of here? To think the death of the Queen will immediately lead to calls for a republic is far-fetched, but it will be a time of danger for the monarchy and everyone in government will need to be aware of it if a constitutional crisis is to be avoided.

GETTY The Queen has been head of state for 63 years

"Prince Charles may well want to be a different head of state - more interventionist, perhaps, and that may not be palatable. "It's only right he wants to be his own man, but if that's too far from the unassuming head of state model we have been used to this last six or seven decades, there could be some uncomfortable times, giving rise to challenging constitutional questions."

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