To be British is to experience a sense of national cognitive dissonance.
The American Declaration of Independence We the people . stirs a discontented and rebellious spirit just below consciousness in the 21st century British psyche. Those subject moments leave one with a feeling of something not quite right.
However, the sense of distaste towards the concept of monarchy and subjection cannot override ones feeling of respect for the experienced and dignified lady who currently occupies the role. And the system does have some surprising advantages beyond democratic logic. How many British Prime Ministers have been gently encouraged towards deeper reflection via their weekly audience with this enormously experienced and politically impartial listener? How could an elected politician, however experienced, ever hope to fulfil that same role while keeping a careful eye on the prospect of re-election four or five years down the line?
The words Royal Family click together to form a series of pictures and emotions in my mind. Childish curiosity, looking at a photograph of my maternal grandfather receiving the Freedom of the City of London from a smiling lady I was told was then the Queen, but now had the strange title of The Queens Mother (I didnt learn to remove the apostrophe until later). A vague disgust at a vast tide of tattling media charting the bizarre public- private lives of the Queens wayward children and their associates. And, most recently, a desperate heart wrenching sadness for two motherless sons, blond and red hair gleaming in early autumn sunshine, walking resolutely behind a wreath labelled Mummy atop a coffin laid on a gun carriage.
The concept of monarchy, along with the concepts of politics, medicine and education has been inevitably changed by the increasing western cultural requirement for individuals in positions of public responsibility to personally earn respect rather than expect it as of right due to their position. The Queen has earned this in abundance, but her children are rather a different prospect. Her grandson will be a different prospect again; much will depend on the eventual nature of his public persona, gradually emerging from the man he will become over the next decade.
An orphaned nation?
My sense of national identity, I suspect, like many Britons, whether I like it or not, is emotionally bound up in the Royal Family. Although I logically know that the idea of monarchy within a system of governance is undemocratic and archaic, we are not dealing with cool logic, but warm emotion. This aspect of cognitive dissonance makes the discussion of constitutional reform an exceptionally difficult issue for the British people.
So, what of a monarchy-less Britain? I suspect this is like asking an individual to imagine a parent-less existence; the fact is, we dont really like to discuss the prospect, and tend to face such a reality only when our parents are gone. However, most sensible families make practical preparations.
There are also issues relating to the monarchy that we need to deal with urgently, which have nothing to do with the individuals involved. For example the linking of church and state, clearly the unnecessary and divisive relict of a previous age, is in dire need of democratic reform.
The worst prospect for the nation would be to attempt to deal with all aspects of monarchy, bound to the emotions as they are, at a time of national bereavement. Surely the time is ripe for serious national discussion followed by referendum? We must face the fact that our Queen is a mortal woman, who is currently 76 years old. We need to get on with it.
