Fabians to hold inquiry into role of monarchy

The Queen will be invited to submit ideas for modernising the monarchy to a commission set up by the Fabian Society.

The influential left-leaning think-tank launched a nine-month inquiry yesterday into the future of the institution – its place in the constitution and its relevance to British society.

The commission will make recommendations on the "ways in which the office of head of state can better meet the social and political needs of today and the foreseeable future". Its investigation follows the Queen's recognition, during a speech to Parliament last month, that the monarchy needs to evolve.

Michael Jacobs, the Fabians' general secretary, said: "If we are taking advice from a wide range of sources, we would be interested to hear if Buckingham Palace have anything to say." He said the commission was keen to know if the Queen had any firm proposals for what shape the evolution could take.

Mr Jacobs added: "Over the past five years the British constitution has undergone a major process of reform, now set to continue with reform of the Lords and the possible introduction of English regional government. Yet the question of head of state has so far been taboo. The Government's nervousness on this subject is unsurprising, but this should not be allowed to stifle debate."

The commission, which will report next spring, will look at the constitutional role of the monarch, the size of the civil list and the monarchy's relationship with the Church of England.