The Spectator

Letters: The real AI threat

issue 13 May 2023

Irreligious tolerance

Sir: Your editorial ‘Crowning glory’ (6 May) celebrated the religious tolerance in Britain that will permit a multifaith coronation. However, it didn’t acknowledge that in modern Britain nearly half of people have no religious belief. This acts as a buffer, making religious differences of opinion of less importance. Britain is one of the least religious countries in the world. In more strongly religious countries, such tolerance is harder to find.

Michael Gorman

Guildford, Surrey

Admirals on horseback

Sir: If Admiral Sir Tony Radakin only had to march at the coronation (Admiral’s notebook, 6 May), he was fortunate. At the 1953 coronation, Lt Cdr Henry Leach (later Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach) was in charge of the naval element. Precedent required admirals to take part on horseback, but the best the Navy’s parade training specialists could come up with, when asked to advise on protocol, was a 1905 document advising sailors that horses were steered like a boat, but with reins instead of rudder lines.

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