A leading British republican group, galvanised by popular unease at the wedding of Prince Charles to his longtime lover Camilla Parker Bowles, has launched a campaign to abolish the British monarchy.
"This marriage is making the case for us," said Stephen Haseler, head of the pressure group Republic which believes the time is right to put an end to the House of Windsor.
Republic is embarking on its first ever membership drive, with national newspaper advertisements, e-mail petitions and the distribution of 20,000 "End the Royal Farce" leaflets.
Convinced it could build a groundswell of support in parliament, Republic also plans to raise the issue with candidates in next month's election.
The run-up to Saturday's civil ceremony has been plagued with problems. First the venue had to be switched from Windsor castle to the local town hall in a licence mix-up, then Queen Elizabeth declined to attend and finally the date had to be changed to avoid a clash with Pope John Paul's funeral on Friday.
"This farce is making people think about what an inadequate institution the monarchy is," Haseler said.
Opinion polls show the British ready to accept the wedding of the two middle-aged divorcees after their 35-year romance.
Republic, formed in 1983, boasts an eclectic mix of supporters from gay rights activist Peter Tatchell to actress Honor Blackman.
It wants to replace the Windsors with an elected head of state.
"It could be either through parliament or by public voting like with Irish President Mary Robinson. In a democratic age, people want their monarchs or heads of state to have some accountability," Haseler said.
He also believes the unease in Britain over the wedding could boost their cause in Commonwealth countries where Queen Elizabeth is head of state.
"This will give a shot in the arm to republicans in Australia, New Zealand and Canada," he predicted.