Long live the monarchy
There is no law preventing people from debating the actions or the future of the British monarchy, hence, the respect that they enjoy is truly earned. This non-interference, acceptance of criticisms and openness to demands for transparency and accountability put the British monarch above politics, and allows the whole population to see the Queen as a symbol of true unity.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan, The Star
British Royals are loved by not just the majority of Britons, but also by million others from across the world.
When Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited Malaysia last year, the reception was electric. Almost all the newspapers, TV and radio stations gave them a very positive coverage.
British royalties are more than just the monarchy for Britain.
Senior members of the British royal family are global celebrities.
Almost everywhere they go, they are received with great fanfare and so many people are excited to catch a glimpse of them.
The British royalties were in the limelight again recently when the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to Prince George on July 22.
The whole world watched eagerly when news broke that Catherine went into labour earlier that day. Reporters from everywhere congregated in front of the St Mary’s Hospital in central London to catch the story.
Clearly the world was excited by the birth of the third in line to the British throne.
But of course there are many others who do not see what the fuss was about. One example is a group called Republic who initiated a campaign called #bornEqual (the hashtag indicating they have taken the campaign online via Twitter).
The group claims to represent Britain’s 10-12 million republicans, including celebrities and parliamentarians whose names are listed on their website.
They openly campaign for the abolishment of the British monarchy because, as they say on their website, “Hereditary public office goes against every democratic principle. And because we can’t hold the Queen and her family to account at the ballot box, there’s nothing to stop them abusing their privilege, misusing their influence or simply wasting our money.”
They went on to say that the British monarchy is “expensive, unaccountable and a drag on our democratic process”.
In the #bornEqual campaign that they launched in conjunction with the birth of Prince George, they urge the British public to ask, among others:
> Shouldn’t every child be born equal? Equal in political status and political rights?
> How can that be when one child is born above all others, destined for high office not because of merit or popular choice but because of their parents?
> Isn’t it time to choose the highest representatives by merit and popular choice, not by birthright and parentage?
Republic’s work goes as far back as the early 1980s. They have been campaigning on many issues related to abolishing the British monarchy. They clearly have supporters, including in the mainstream media.
For example, a day after Prince George was born, the Guardian newspaper published an article by its associate editor, Seumas Milne, resonating Republic’s campaign. Milne questioned the many powers of the monarchy including its prerogative to appoint the Prime Minister and dissolve parliament. He also suggested that by meeting the Prime Minister weekly, the Queen has “covert influence” on the government.
Yet despite protests and criticisms, the British monarchy remains loved by millions the world over.
The way they have adapted to the demands of today’s society is amazing, especially by making more and more information easily accessible to the public.
A quick visit to the official website of the British royal family will make it clear how serious they are. You can find almost everything you want on that website – from the history of the British monarchy to what the senior members do every day.
You can even know how many official cars the Queen has. Apparently she has eight – two Bentleys, three Rolls-Royces and three Daimlers.
And the website tells you that British Royals “are subject to normal speed restrictions”, while the rear doors of the two Bentleys “are hinged at the back to allow the Queen to stand up straight before stepping down to the ground”.
The Queen also publishes an annual financial report, detailing the income and expenditure of the Royal households. The report is freely available on the websitewww.royal.gov.uk.
It is presented to parliament, allowing the elected representatives, including republican MPs, to scrutinise how much taxpayers’ money the Royals receive annually, and how they spend it.
Perhaps the most significant is the fact that the Queen as the reigning monarch almost never get into political debates.
It is difficult to find her commenting about current affairs. In fact, she does not even respond when groups like Republic or the media openly demand the abolition of the monarchy or criticise the actions of her family members.
There is no law preventing people from debating the actions or the future of the British monarchy, hence, the respect that they enjoy is truly earned.
This non-interference, acceptance of criticisms and openness to demands for transparency and accountability put the British monarch above politics, and allows the whole population to see the Queen as a symbol of true unity.
The republican campaign to abolish the British monarchy may have gained more traction if the British royalties refuse to adapt to the demands of modern days.
But with all the efforts the British Royals are putting into becoming more transparent, accountable and non-interfering, they are loved by not just the majority of Britons, but also by million others from across the world.
> Wan Saiful Wan Jan is chief executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (www.ideas.org.my). The article is his personal opinion.
