My six-year-old, when told that there was a princess of England with the same name as her, was astonished to learn that such things existed. ‘In real life, not in princess-land?’ She assumed princesses only lived in some made-up world along with dragons and trolls and daddy’s savings account.
One of the arguments made against the monarchy is that it is inherently ridiculous and belongs in a children’s story. But as we mark 64 years under the Elizabethan junta, it is worth noting that it’s the very absurdity of monarchy that makes it egalitarian and anti-authoritarian, in that it keeps powerful people in their place.
If we were ever to throw away this Ruritanian form of government and have a modern system with modern rituals, it would necessary reflect the values and glory of the people in power. Blairites loved to get rid of tradition for that very reason; likewise with formality, which restrains people by illustrating in a sartorial manner that there are rules and they must play by them.
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