The Queen At 80

[poliphilo]

I want an English republic. (I didn't say "I'm a Republican" for fear of misunderstanding.)

The Guardian has at least two big essays this morning on how us English Republicans must seize the moment and start preparing for an English Republic now the Queen has turned 80.

But I'm afraid we've missed our chance. We should have struck in the 90s. The monarchy had reached an all-time low. Diana Spencer (alive and dead) was our standard bearer.

And now the Queen is entering the autumn of her reign. Like Victoria before her, she's become the Grandmother of the Nation.

Inertia takes over. Establishing an English Republic would mean reworking the Constitution from top to bottom. I can't see any Prime Minister having the heart for it.

Especially since removing the monarch means an end to the Royal prerogative, which gives the Prime Minister of the day quasi-regal powers, including the right to declare war without putting it to a parliamentary vote.

So we're almost certainly stuck with the Windsors for the forseeable future.

The Queen could last another 20 years, which means that Charles, if he lives that long, will be over 70 when he succeeds and Grandfather of the Nation from day one.

The only thing that could turn everything around is a big royal scandal. And I wouldn't put it past Charles or either of his two boys to supply us with one.

Comments

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

Is there anything left for the nation to be scandalized by? Charles has his Camilla finally, William is apparently living with his tootsie, I guess that leaves Harry (who looks more and more like HIS father every day), but would that even cause a stir now? Probably not. Maybe Princess Anne could decide after all these years she's really gay?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are sharks circling under the surface.

The continuing investigation into the death of Diana Princess of Wales could throw up something tasty.

And then there are all the ill-used and under-paid palace servants who have seen things they weren't supposed to see.

And the Windsors are all pretty dim. Who knows what stupid things one or other of them might do or say?

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

Inbreeding, the problems with inbreeding, and still they continue to do it. Well, either that or marry someone with NO breeding whatsoever.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

They're woefully out of touch- and none of them smart enough to do anything about it.

[ex-kharin447.livejournal.com]

I would suspect that people wilfully blind themselves on these points. The strong probability that one of Charles's sons is illegitimate is a good example.

[pickwick.livejournal.com]

I think it's more that people don't care if one of his sons is illegitimate - it's not a huge scandal these days. Certainly, I don't think it's a reason not to have him as king.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If Harry is illegitimate and yet acceptable as a (possible) future king it makes nonsense of the mystique of the blood royal.

[ex-kharin447.livejournal.com]

My view precisely. In the event that he was to succeed I doubt that people would necessarily be quite so relaxed.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just his age or the way he's been typecast in the media, but Harry comes across as peculiarly stupid and insensitive

[four-thorns.livejournal.com]

or maybe it's just that nazi costume he wore to a party...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Well there's that,

and his duffing up of a reporter outside a nightclub

And his recent visit to a lap-dancing club

and the fact that he almost certainly cheated to get into Sandhurst...