A.Word.A.Day -- AWADmail Issue 1198

The royals are an enormously wealthy family who pay no tax and drift from one worthy event to another. Indeed their lives have little purpose other than attending events. For many people here in England, the high point in their life is to have met a member of the monarchy and curtseyed or bowed. I am neither anti-monarchy nor pro. They play no part in my life. Even out of curiosity, I would not walk to the garden gate to see them pass by. If the king wished to see our garden I would welcome him in, just as we would anyone with a love of gardens.
-Martin Frampton, Newton Abbot, UK (sandynap36 gmail.com)

As a Brit, I find it rather embarrassing that we still have a monarchy (and a “nobility”!) -- it’s as though we haven’t quite grown into being a full democracy. Although it’s mainly a ceremonial role, the British monarch has to sign Acts of Parliament into law and after a General Election “invites” the leader of the biggest party to form a government - this is ridiculous! The royals also cost us money -- and, yes, tradition brings in some tourism income but I’m sure we could make enough out of former royal residences once we’d abolished the monarchy.
-Denise Thorn, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland (denisethorn gmail.com)

As a figurehead who is non-political, it has that going for it. As feted beings kept in the lap of luxury for no discernible purpose, it has nothing going for it. I am British but an enthusiastic supporter of the organisation Republic which agitates for the abolition of the monarchy. No matter what arguments are advanced for keeping the monarchy, it is an anachronism and a fiercely expensive one at that. (The French got it right as did the Russians.) I am a Londoner born and bred; none of my immediate family were monarchists. Even if they had been, as a would-be historian I could never see its value in the modern world.
-Richard Keane, London, UK (rakeane eml.cc)

Jan Morris is one of my favorite writers. In one of her essays she describes the continuing affection for the British royalty as “sentimental nostalgia”. I think that’s a polite way of saying they are obsolete and should be de-throned. For me, the existence of kings and queens, princes and princesses, in the 21st century is pointless and absurd.
-Steve Styers, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania (sstyers2001 gmail.com)

I immigrated from the States to Canada in 1998, when I was 40, and became a Canadian citizen three years later. One thing that strikes me about the States is the enormous fuss about the First Family, even at times including the First Cat or Dog. It’s as if Americans, having freed themselves of the monarchy, then felt compelled to recreate it. No one in Canada cares about the Prime Minister’s cats or dogs. No one cares how the PM’s spouse decorates their residence for Christmas. All that sort of useless fuss is centred around the royal family, who conveniently live overseas. Every now and then one of them comes to visit, and those who care can turn out to meet them. Meanwhile the PM and their cabinet are free to get on with the real work of running the country. Such a sensible arrangement!
-SarahRose Werner, Saint John, Canada (swerner nbnet.nb.ca)

You seem to imply that the USA is democratic.
A country that holds midweek elections, making it harder for the poorly paid to vote, is not a democracy.
A country which gives the political arm control over the judiciary is not a democracy.
A country which requires its citizens to declare their political allegiance is not a democracy.
A country which allows the head of state to pardon criminals, because they have supported him, is not a democracy.
And regarding “democracies” in general:
A country which does not separate the state from all religions is not a democracy.
A country which does not give women rights equal to those of men, is not a democracy.
Democracies are very rare.
-Margaret Furness, Strathalbyn, Australia (mfu19130 bigpond.net.au)

As far as royalty is concerned, I generally feel it’s the lesser of two evils and at least they are trained up for it. It’s a shame our heroes and role models aren’t scientists and doctors, but I can’t remember seeing a Marie Curie or Mary Seacole character at Disney World. As for wealth... no more of a genetic accident than those showered with money and attention just because they have a currently-fashionable arrangement of facial features, the ability to kick a ball or to lip-synch attractively to a song written by someone else. Or the endless ranks of the upper classes who inherit wealth and privilege just because “their granddad was a bigger murdering bastard” than yours (thank you Terry Pratchett). I feel a bit sorry for the royals really -- wealth isn’t everything and I wouldn’t swap my “normal” life for theirs; who wants to live life under a constant spotlight?
-Sarah Ingram, Hereford, UK (sarah.ingram wvt.nhs.uk)

Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy Johnny Mustard, Yuk, Retired. The Corps Has!

As an Englishman, I often find myself in debates about why my country still needs antediluvian traditions like the monarchy. One common argument is that abolition would damage the tourist industry. It’s interesting, though, that the decline of the Roman Empire doesn’t seem to have discouraged tourism in Italy.
-James Hutchinson, Newcastle, UK (james.hutchinson thenbs.com)

Royalty seems atavistic. When I’d bring that up in England, I’d hear much dissembling: “Oh, they bring in so much money.” The net is that we humans love celebrities.
-John Craw, Glenford, Ohio (thecrawh gmail.com)

I revere democracy, but in the early 70s, the NYT published a large photo of the British royal family that I found charming. They all looked happy (little did we know).
At the time, I was a student, sharing a new apartment in an unfamiliar city, with someone whom I didn’t know well but who had been recommended to me by a friend. The apartment was very sparingly furnished, which is to say, the walls were utterly bare. I cut out the Royal Family photo and attached it, prominently, on the living room wall.
Upon seeing the new decor, my roommate became enraged. She was of Irish descent. I had no idea. She was really mad. I know I felt bad but I don’t remember what happened next. Did I take it down? I’d like to think so, but I don’t remember.
-Elizabeth Lang, New York, New York (ibbyla yahoo.com)

When comedian Alan King was introduced to Queen Elizabeth II she said “How do you do, Mr. King?” to which he replied “How do you do, Mrs. Queen?” Reportedly, Prince Philip laughed.
-Robert Wasko, Brooklyn, New York (rmwasko aol.com)

In some cool social circles, “King” has become a slang term of address for a man you respect, admire or like. It’s a bit like “Bro” or “Bruh” but more respectful. And unlike “Bro,” “King” can have romantic undertones when a woman uses it to address a man.
-Liz Bass, Manhasset, New York (elizabethbass att.net)

In the late 18th century, in my far-from-notable family, a baby girl was born in the tiny coastal town of Cutler, Maine, only a few miles from the Canadian border. (Even today, Cutler has only 300 residents.) She was named “Empress Josephine.” No doubt her parents were influenced by the absurdly famous French royal couple of those days, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Josephine de Beauharnais. (I wonder what nickname the tiny empress acquired as she grew up.)
-Sally Morong Chetwynd, Wakefield, Massachusetts (brasscastlearts gmail.com)

Ah, royalty. I completely agree with your analysis, and add only this: I hold two citizenships, US and Israeli. In both my homelands the current (elected) head of the government is trying his damndest to crown himself king - with all attendant powers and privileges. And is callously engaged in using his assumed powers to destroy countless lives.
Infuriating and heartbreaking.
-Sara Avitzour, Tel Aviv, Israel (avitzour gmail.com)

Next elections? What makes you think we’ll have one? I admire your optimism. Fingers crossed.
-Marilyn Samson, Deerfield, Illinois (mairzyd gmail.com)

There are going to be nationwide protests this Sat. In defiance of our president’s self-aggrandizing military birthday parade, folks can look up and attend a local event with commitment to nonviolent action: No Kings Day.
-Danica Larson, Denver, Colorado (danicalarson1 gmail.com)