‘King Charles is a different kettle of fish’: Britain’s republicans believe their time will come

For Matthew, the Queen's death is double edged: "There's cause for celebration in the sense that it might kickstart the end of the monarchy - but it's frustrating because I daren't say that to anyone but my wife!"

He admits crafting several Facebook posts arguing that the death of Queen Elizabeth II ought to preempt the UK's transition to a republic but has shied away from pressing send. "A lot of people seem very emotional at the moment and I don't want to be the target of a massive pile-on by trolls," said Matthew (not his real name).

Other republicans admit they feel bullied into supporting something they don't believe in. "I feel unable to express an opinion without being branded disrespectful, so therefore I've been funnelled into complying with the country's grief," said Aisha, who also requested a pseudonym.

"As someone who believes the monarchy is an outdated concept that compromises our democratic right and signifies colonialism, I am suddenly being turned into the bad guy for deciding not to celebrate that aspect of the Queen's life.

"People blur the line between her as a person who did a lot of amazing things and her as a queen, and that's where they get defensive," she said.

However, groups representing the views of Britain's republicans say that now is not the time to be cowed into suppressing their beliefs.

Aware of supporters electing to self-censor and hearing reports of others admitting they are too petrified to air their views for fear of being cancelled, the main republican campaign group is actively pushing calls to abolish the monarchy.