Sky News to host monarchy debate

Sky News has announced plans to broadcast a debate on the future of the British Monarchy, on the eve of the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Airing tonight at 8pm, Monarchy in the UK will see Sky News political editor Adam Boulton joined by a panel of monarchists and republicans to discuss the relevance of the Royal Family in modern Britain.

Guests include historian Dr David Starkey and Andrew Morton, Princess Diana's biographer, along with journalists Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and David Aaronovitch.

Other contributors include author Kathy Lette, activist and journalist Julie Bindel and Patricia Yates from tourism authority Visit Britain.

The debate will be staged at a temporary Sky News studio outside of Buckingham Palace, from where the broadcaster's team will present the royal wedding coverage tomorrow.

During the discussion, viewers will be able to vote on whether they want to "go royal" or "no royal" via a real-time Twitter poll.

John Ryley, the head of Sky News, said: "As the nation gets swept up in royal wedding mania we will be looking at the relevance of the royal family and whether they have a future in this country. Be prepared for some radical and very different opinions from our guests."

Eamonn Holmes will front Sky News' coverage of the royal wedding tomorrow from 6am, supported by presenter Kay Burley and royal correspondent Sarah Hughes.