People watching the Coronation will be invited to join a “chorus of millions” to swear allegiance to the King and his heirs, organisers say.
The public pledge is one of several striking changes to the ancient ceremony revealed on Saturday.
I am not a republican, but neither am I a monarchist. I tend to regard the latter as the lesser of evils, so am content to adopt the status quo. But swear allegiance? Fuck off. I won’t even be watching.
Why would I pledge allegiance to a demented ecoloon like Charles? Especially when his idea of saving the planet involves hessian underwear for me and business as usual unbridled jet setting for him? Could I stand to attention with hand on heart and pledge how much I despise him instead? As for his heirs, I don’t know enough about them to make a decision so that would be a total leap in the dark.
I might watch some of the coronation, my wife loves that stuff and, I do have a grudging admiration for our country’s ability to do the ridiculous over the top flummery really well.
Also context. My recently deceased mum (83) got to watch the coronation of Elizabeth II as a teenager on a tiny black and white telly because my uncle Frank was a TV and radio engineer so my Great Granny Gertrude was one of the few people who had a telly at the time. I would say a once in a lifetime experience but I hope to outlive Charles. Maybe Parliament will get so pissed off with him that they cut his head off.
I should also mention that I was persuaded out of my republicanism by reading your posts on the subject. My position now is pretty similar to yours, not ideal but better than the alternatives.
The main argument for keeping the monarchy is not that the institution has any intrinsic merits, but that a genuine attempt to abolish it would rip the country apart. The Brexit controversy would be child’s play in comparison, and look what that did.
No, far better just to leave things as they are.
Yep, I’m pretty much the same. A republican in principle but a monarchist for pragmatic reasons.
@Spiro Ozer
Yes, replacing the monarchy would require pretty much the re-writing of the constitution we have.
What is the worst you can think of as an alternative? That would be the best the sewage that is making everything else stink would be able to achieve.
Leave it, for fuck’s sake, leave it!
Tony Blair for president (for life) made my mind up. Keep the monarchy.
Whether it’s him or some other has been politician, the principle stands, the role will become political and I prefer it to be neutral, which is what the monarchy is supposed to be. That said, Charlie has form when it comes to dabbling in politics. Time will tell if he can steer an even course now that he is in the big seat.