I am an unabashed monarchist – I feel that the constitutional monarchy we have best fits our peculiar historical and political history, and that there is no reason to try and “fix” what isn’t broken. However, I also believe that the Royal Family and the succession needs to be reformed.
The current situation is untenable in the modern world, with the discrimination against women and against non-Anglicans. It is completely out of place that someone can be excluded from being sovereig based on their gender or their religion, and there is …

I just don’t get this whole story about Prince Harry using so-called “racist” and “offensive” language. What did he do? Refer to a colleague and friend as “Paki”, which appears to have been his nickname, and then to another as “raghead”.
Oh so offensive! Not.
Harry made the remarks within a specific context – that of an army camp. They were not offensive to the individuals concerned, so why do the media and politicians feel the need to jump in and condemn him? They haven’t fought in Iraq, they haven’t been in …

It was proposed and rejected by the Attorney General just back in April, but now it has come up again:

Downing Street has drawn up plans to end the 300-year-old exclusion of Catholics from the throne. The requirement that the succession automatically pass to a male would also be reformed, making it possible for a first born daughter of Prince William to become his heir. (The Guardian)

About bloody time!
I can see absolutely no reason why this shouldn’t come in to reality. It is completely out of place in the modern world …

MPs have to swear an oath of loyalty to the Queen when they take their seat in the House of Commons. But anti-monarchy campaigners want to challenge this requirement in the courts on human rights basis.
There is also an early day motion proposed by Lib Dem front bencher Norman Baker proposing an alternative oath, claiming that “some honourable members would prefer to swear an oath of allegiance to their constituents and the nation rather than the monarch”. It has so far been signed by 22 MPs – 14 Labour, 7 …

With growing inflation, it’s no surprise that the Royal Family have spent more this year than last year. They’ve cost the taxpayer £40million in the past 12 months – an increase of £2million.
Or, to put that another way, 66p per person instead of 62p.
Personally, I think that represents outstanding value for money. For 66p you can’t even buy 66 penny sweets nowadays. It’s less than the price of this morning’s paper. I think it could get me 1 track off itunes – if I used that instead of buying CDs …

I don’t understand why anyone would be attacking Princess Beatrice over her weight and how she looks in a bikini [right]. She’s hardly obese, fat, or even “chubby”. Yes, she’s hardly perfectly slim, but she’s certainly no worse than at least 90-odd per cent of the British population.
Really, ratehr than attacking her, critics should be pointing her out as an example of how women do not have to be stick-insects to be attractive. And, frankly, I think that she is far prettier than the vast majority of so-called “supermodels” who …

This was in yesterday’s Times:
The Attorney-General’s office has ruled out any legislation that would give equal rights of succession to the throne to daughters of a monarch. Nor will it repeal the law that bans the heir to the throne from marrying a Roman Catholic.
And this in the Telegraph two days ago:
Vera Baird, the Solicitor General, who is steering the new equality bill through the Commons, said the right of males to succeed ahead of their older sisters was “unfair” and “a load of rubbish”…Mrs Baird also wants to repeal …

So Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, Helmand Province. And? This makes bugger all difference. Who cares? It’s not like he’s ever expected to become King Henry IX. He’s the “spare”, as they say.
He’s supposed to be making a proper army career, not just doing it as work experience. If he were to be prevented from going to the front line, this would be impossible. That he was not sent to Iraq was probably a good thing, on balance, considering the heat …

The Prince of Wales has described a 21st-century £6m university lecture hall as looking like a dustbin.Prince Charles’ comments on modern architecture were made about the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. (BBC)
This is the brand-new lecture theatre at my alma mater. Even though I never actually went in this hall, yet alone had lectures in it [because by the time it opened, I was in my postgrad year and didn't have any lectures any more].
I have to say, it doesn’t strike me as a …

Rumours abound Prince William will be following his series of placements within the armed forces with a brief spell in the newsroom of a national newspaper.
In their article on it, the Guardian uses the opportunity to state their claim to being that paper.
It’s interesting to see their views on the other nationals…