By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
I thought this was an interesting paragraph from an article by Simon Jenkins.
"Andrew is not the monarch. His status, like that of a dozen “working royals”, descends from the decision of the then queen and Prince Philip in 1969 to redefine the British monarchy as a “royal family”. The head of state became the family of state. This was popular as the young children were filmed playing round barbecues at Balmoral. It came across less well as overprotected teenagers blossomed into wealthy celebrities."
Thus they seem to have brought this all on themselves, and despite a supportive media and breathless deference from the establishment (including the vast majority of MPs) support for the institution is waning.
Sadly, it may never reach the point where the monarchy is abolished (because there are too many "doff cappers" in positions of power and influence(, but it would be nice to think we end up with a monarchy more like the ordinary nature of that of some European states
I thought this was an interesting paragraph from an article by Simon Jenkins.
"Andrew is not the monarch. His status, like that of a dozen “working royals”, descends from the decision of the then queen and Prince Philip in 1969 to redefine the British monarchy as a “royal family”. The head of state became the family of state. This was popular as the young children were filmed playing round barbecues at Balmoral. It came across less well as overprotected teenagers blossomed into wealthy celebrities."
Thus they seem to have brought this all on themselves, and despite a supportive media and breathless deference from the establishment (including the vast majority of MPs) support for the institution is waning.
Sadly, it may never reach the point where the monarchy is abolished (because there are too many "doff cappers" in positions of power and influence(, but it would be nice to think we end up with a monarchy more like the ordinary nature of that of some European states
[Post edited 22 Feb 12:56]
The following from an article by Andrew Rawnsley show just how the British establishment works.
Don’t underestimate the Windsors’ ruthless drive to survive
Keir Starmer wouldn’t be the first prime minister to help the royals weather storms that might have finished the monarchy
There will be more gruesome days to come for the Windsors, especially if the defrocked royal is put in the dock of a crown court. The reaction of the public will be shaped by the attitude of the government. Here there’s discouraging news for those who hope to hear the death rattle of monarchy. Sir Keir Starmer was a republican in his salad days as a radical human rights lawyer. He used to joke that it was “odd” becoming a QC when he had often proposed the abolition of the crown. But the eager roundhead had turned into a staunch royalist by the time he became Labour leader. His eloquent tribute to Elizabeth II after her death gave every impression of being heartfelt. At that year’s Labour conference, he led a minute’s silence and the singing of God Save the King. That passed off, to some surprise among cabinet ministers, without a single dissenting heckle. Labour collaborated with the effort to whisk through Charles’s accession to the throne, no pesky republican questions asked.
Before the arrest, Sir Keir got on the front foot, saying that Andrew should answer to the US congressional inquiry into the Epstein scandal and declaring that “nobody is above the law”. Since the arrest, Number 10 has been scrupulously discreet and instructed ministers to keep their traps shut. When the Commons returns on Monday, the speaker will likely remind MPs of the sub judice rule, which prevents them saying anything that might influence court proceedings. So don’t hold your breath for a great debate in the legislature about the legitimacy of hereditary entitlements. That’s fine for the radio talk shows, but not the mother of parliaments.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
