Even William knows the monarchy is nonsense - he will rule like Diana would want |
The Royal Family faces growing public scrutiny over cost, privilege, and its role in a diverse, rapidly changing society. Something Prince William was all too aware of earlier this year when he said, “change is on my agenda… there are points when you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today? Is that still the right thing to do?”
But what should he actually do to make the institution fit for the modern age? And are some reforms just a step closer to abolition? Former royal correspondent for the BBC Jennie Bond, royal reporter Richard Palmer and historian Eliot Wilson offer their perspective.
Let’s start with the obvious. Monarchy is an anachronism in the 21st century. A man or woman designated by an accident of birth to be some kind of supreme being to whom all must defer is clearly nonsense.
And I don’t think our future monarch, William, would disagree.
But he had what many might call the misfortune to be born into this uniquely strange destiny that will lead him one day to be King. So, what does a boy do?
When he was young, he found the whole prospect a heavy burden. At least that’s what his mother, Diana, told me. But she also said that the country was “lucky to have William.” He was, she added with an understated hint of........