Dirty Rascal

The other day somebody pointed out that I had left one monarchy, the UK, for another, Spain, and wondered if I was a secret admirer of such regimes. So let me set the record straight.

The kindest word that springs to mind is ‘anachronism’. Monarchies are out-dated remnants of a medieval past, a historical hangover. That anyone should be endowed with the birthright to rule and/or represent a nation is clearly outrageous. That a person should be born with privilege, influence, wealth and inherited respect simply because they belong to a certain family, a certain lineage, is an affront to our intelligence.

Some try to justify their continuation with claims that they hold the nation together or bring in revenue from tourism, but the truth is they are surplus fat. Take a look at the successful nations – U.S.A., China, Russia, Germany, France. Or the emerging ones like India and Brazil. Not a King or Queen in sight.

But the rulers are not to blame. It is the ruled who have allowed this parasitic abuse to continue. It is not the King, but he who kneels before him who is ultimately responsible.

So, no knighthood for me!