Timothy Birdnow

Americans have no use for kings and queens. Every since we booted George III we have had antipathy towards royalty. Sadly that is changing now, and we have a new aristocracy, but it is careful not to use the old aristocratic titles. Frankly, the best term for American nobility is Baron, which was originally a title given to commoners who were exceptional bandits/robbers and by dint of that amassed vast wealth.

But we used to disdain royalty.

My dear departed uncle was a great guy, albeit a very crude, crass, and hard drinking man. Once he went on a trip to British Columbia and was in a bar with a friend when the whole bar decided to toast their soveright "to the Queen"..."Hear! Hear!"

My uncle, being the tactless individual he was, said out loud "piss on the Queen!" As he tells the story you could hear a pin drop; stunned silence!

His friend, who had had less to drink, hustled him out before the stunned Canucks could take a hockey stick or two to him.

He was very lucky.

So anyone who comes from the British Empire generally loves the monarchy, and especially loved Queen Elizabeth II, a very devoted, decent, and caolm person, the ideal symbol of a former age of glory. It's too bad the nation didn't follow her example, but no doubt she made a huge difference in stemming what would have been a truly revolutionary tide.

I never knew her politics, but suspect she and her family were quite liberal. After  all, the British upper class generally has been and her children and grandchildren certainly show signs of the Progressive disease. But she kept those opinions to herself, to her great credit; she was a symbol of all Britain, an inclusive monarch.

Can anyone say, after Joe Biden's verbal assault on his opposition the other day, that America wouldn't benefit from a ceremonial head of state who stayed above politics?  The Presidency is certainly a political position here and given the politically homicidal tendencies of one party (ahem!) it would be nice to have a ceremonial head who goes around opening military bases or meeting dignitaries. Then we could have the President concentrate on meaningful work.

Perhaps the Vice Presidency should be revamped to be a ceremonial role for elder statesmen?

It won't happen but it's a nice thing to dream about.

At any rate Queen Elizabeth II was a uniter and not a divider.

So I have to disagree with my uncle; most assuredly do NOT piss on the Queen!

But where will the Monarchy go now? I don't think that half-witted son of hers is up for the challenge, nor any of her spoiled brat grandkids. The British People may well decide the Monarchy is too expensive an indulgence, a waste of taxpayer money and a useless institution. Remember, they had a republic under Cromwell for a time. It may be the time is coming when they will have a republic again. Monarchy is so 19th century!

Time will tell. Charles III is technically the king, but I believe he still must be approved and formally crowned. Many a slip between cup and lip, as my mother used to say.

I believe Elizabeth held on so long precisely because she knew her son was going to make a mess and she was playing for time (what else could she do?) She remained Queen despite failing health precisely to prevent Chucky from ascending to the throne and turning it into some circus. Now that she's out of the way I suspect Charles will start a politically active Kingship and promote all the idiocy he's always dabbled with - Climate Change, being the big issue.

If he does, if he politicizes the Monarchy, a lot of peole will reject the whole institution.

I rather suspect this may be the beginning of the end for the Royals.

But who knows? Charles once suggested he be made king of the Euroopean Union. That will be hard now that Brexit has gone through, but perhaps he'll get them back in. Certainly the new Prime Minister was a Remainer and probably will support the new King if the matter arises.

God save the King if that happens!

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at 07:57 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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