King Charles III

Surely, we owe the English revolutionaries of 1649 something better than the Windsor soap opera. There is an important sense in which the English Revolution of the seventeenth century inaugurated political modernity not only for Britain, but also for the world. The trial and execution of Charles Stuart, `the man of blood', was much more than a merely `English' event; it was `world-historical', in the Hegelian sense of the term, insofar as it marked the beginnings of the end for both feudalism and absolutism.

The Restoration in 1660 and the subsequent execution of the regicides (in the vilest possible manner) is already injury enough to the memory of the first modern republic. That yet another Charles should become king over 350 years later, and be ‘represented’ in Australia by some timeserving Labor lieutenant of capital, would only add desperately sad insult to that initial injury. The first Charles was executed, the second exiled. Let the third be pensioned off, both in England and Australia, and let the last pathetic legacies of feudalism be gone with him.

Why do we have a monarchy? Because we were once all serfs with no human rights. The people fought a long battle for democracy to get this family off our back, but they managed to cling on to a role, as a symbol of class privilege and a culture of deference. People died, were executed, cut down, exiled, transported to far flung lands in the battle for democracy against the royal family and their class.

Remember the peasants revolting in 1381, the Levellers and Diggers of the English Revolution of the 17th century, the Chartists, Peterloo Martyrs and Tolpuddle Martyrs of the 19th century, and the Suffragettes and anti-colonial movements of the 20th century.

The Myths of monarchy and the need for a republic
Democracy and monarchy don't mix.

www.counterfire.org/articles/opinion/23454-the-myths-of-monarchy-and-the-need-for-a-republic

I don't read the Mail and have just read the grans writing about Mail's hate campaign . The Mail will undoubedly do what it exists to do; make a big profit. Mail will sell the hate campaign because so many people want to express anger, to which end the energetic and innovative Duchess is an excellent scape goat.

Exactly Caleo.
Grany, do you ever feel chilled up there on the cold, critical moral high ground?

It must be foggy up there because the mists of time have distorted the view of what it was like under Cromwell's reign.

Democracy and monarchy don't mix.

In fact they have done that very successfully, especially in the last century and long may it continue with a Constitutional Monarchy and an elected government.

merlotgran

Charles was quick to make William the Prince of Wales but has anything said about Edward taking on the title, Duke of Edinburgh?

I always thought it was Prince Philip’s wish that Edward would become D of E when the Queen died.

I wonder if that might be announced after the funeral?

I would be surprised (and disappointed TBH) if Charles doesn’t carry out his late father’s wishes.

Think Edward and Sophie should be acknowledged for all their dutiful, rather mundane royal duties undertaken over several years, quietly, without fuss, just ‘doing their duty’.

My GD is going to Buck House next year to receive her gold DofE award. Prince Edward is currently givng out the gongs and it would be suitable for him to be the next Duke of Edinburgh.

Callistemon21

^Democracy and monarchy don't mix^.

In fact they have done that very successfully, especially in the last century and long may it continue with a Constitutional Monarchy and an elected government.

They don’t mix if you want meritocracy, which is surely essential for meaningful democracy?

Charles has just dodged a multi-million pound inheritance tax. New monarchs are exempted from paying a tax the rest of us must pay, at significant cost to the taxpayer.

Democracy and monarchy don't mix.

It had to be you, didn't it Grany. We have had a Constitutional Monarchy developing nicely since 1688. If you don't believe they "mix" please say you believe it, instead of so rudely telling others they don't as if it was an absolute truth.

What on earth do you need to show you that they work very well together. The Head of State is not a political figure. It seems you want one that is.

Zonne

Callistemon21

Democracy and monarchy don't mix.

In fact they have done that very successfully, especially in the last century and long may it continue with a Constitutional Monarchy and an elected government.

They don’t mix if you want meritocracy, which is surely essential for meaningful democracy?

First-past-the-post election is by popularity, not merit. The Romans had the recipe for that - aspiring candidates won the electorate over by arranging bread and circuses for the electorate. Money talks.

please say you believe please say you don't believe

Jaberwok

I support the new king full heartedly as I believe him to be a good man and Camilla who is a sensible well grounded lady with a good sense of humour (she'll need it!!) God bless them both and God bless the Prince of Wales.

a lovely comment Jaberwok I am glad to agree, and think Charles will be an excellent King, also William in his turn.

Elegran

Zonne

Callistemon21

Democracy and monarchy don't mix.

In fact they have done that very successfully, especially in the last century and long may it continue with a Constitutional Monarchy and an elected government.

They don’t mix if you want meritocracy, which is surely essential for meaningful democracy?

First-past-the-post election is by popularity, not merit. The Romans had the recipe for that - aspiring candidates won the electorate over by arranging bread and circuses for the electorate. Money talks.

If you have a system that says you can avoid taxes, that is the political system. I haven't come anyone who could afford an accountant or understands enough themselves to avoid paying any more than they have to, not doing so. I do not think that is wrong. What is wrong is the politics that are behind how the system works. That means you attack the government, not the people behaving legally.

I say the same to those able to claim benefits. If you are eligible, claim it. That is how the system works. It is for governments, not the individual, to change it if a change is needed.

I agree we need a system where every vote matters.

We have an unelected monarch, an unelected House of Lords, and an unelected prime minister, and a new king who promises to uphold it all.

Now is precisely the right time to talk of constitutional change

Tell that

To the thousands paying homage to the Queen and cheering King Charles. We need stability.

Grany

We have an unelected monarch, an unelected House of Lords, and an unelected prime minister, and a new king who promises to uphold it all.

Now is precisely the right time to talk of constitutional change

We elect those who govern, those who can change laws. The Head of State does neither.

The rest is politics. There, of course, we need a proper voting system that acknowledges everyone, wherever they live.

If you have a system that says you can avoid taxes, that is the political system. I haven't come anyone who could afford an accountant

Most small businesses will employ an accountant occasionally rather than pay for one full-time.
Sometimes it's a good idea to employ the services of an accountant because HMRC doesn't always get it right. As the Tax Inspector said to me: "Sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing". (Unbelievable, I know, but true.)

Just found out that my friend who always visits us on Sundays, shook hands with Charles on one of his visits to Ireland in 2017. Not sure if that is more impressive than my claim to fame - 7th cousin of Queen! I’m sure there are thousands more relatives out there, though.

A monarchy is not democratic.
You don't have to be a republican to admit that the wealth and income of the Rf is excessive.

Grany, do you ever feel chilled up there on the cold, critical moral high ground?

So rude.

Grany, I don't know how you keep trying.

Grany, I don't know how you keep trying.

Perhaps not the best time really.

Granny I don't know how you keep trying

I think the appropriate interrogative is Why.

First-past-the-post election is by popularity, not merit

I partially agree, because I think there is some quality control embedded in getting to be a candidate, although that seems to be failing too often. There need to be radical changes to our electoral system, regardless of views for or against a monarchy, but that would be even more important in a republic.

nadateturbe

A monarchy is not democratic.
You don't have to be a republican to admit that the wealth and income of the Rf is excessive.

Grany, do you ever feel chilled up there on the cold, critical moral high ground?

So rude.

Grany, I don't know how you keep trying.

Who said the monarchy are democratic ... or not? How can individuals be our democracy? That really doesn't make sense. They are rich and would be whether they were Head of State or not. Many are vastly richer than the rest of the population. It is not, however, the responsibility of those people to make the rules that make society equitable. That is the responsibility of the elected government.

Grany is not on the moral high ground. I imagine many of us see the moral argument for proper taxation. The one she is putting forward does not make sense and will not change anything, so what is the point?