Let's have a no frills Scandinavian monarchy

Let's have a no frills Scandinavian monarchy
01 Dec 2010

Introduction

Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey next April will be attended by hundreds of foreign dignitaries and marked by street parties, a concert in Hyde Park and a national Bank Holiday, at a cost of more than £10 million. Our monarchy is the most expensive monarchy in Europe and the most cosseted. More significantly, it is the one with the strongest vestigial political role.

Although the Swedish royal family was flung into controversy recently, when a new book, Carl XVI Gustaf - The Reluctant Monarch, alleged that the eponymous King enjoyed wild sex parties and whirlpool liaisons with strippers, for years the Scandinavian royals have been known for their modest style; the term the “Bicycling Monarchy” was coined following the former Danish Queen Juliana’s fondness for bicycling, and her often unscheduled interaction with the public. Here, we invite LabourList columnist Paul Richards and writer Jerome di Costanzo to debate if Britain would benefit from a modernised Royal Family, or whether the pomp, ceremony and constitutional fudge is a national asset.

Let's have a no frills Scandinavian monarchy

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Speakers & Speaker Summaries

Paul Richards
Columnist; Labour Party member

A modern 21st century country should have modern, 21st century institutions

The idea of a Scandinavian monarchy entails a modern, democratised one. Britain is a half grown stunted democracy; one which takes pride in its parliament but maintains a hereditary, medieval monarchy.

There are worrying hidden realities to the monarchy

Although the PR for the royal wedding is positive, it hides the reality of monarchical power. The royal wedding should be used as an opportunity to vent worrying issues about the British monarchy, such as the Queen’s position as head of the protestant Church, her leadership of the Commonwealth...the obscure financing of the family. These questions should not come as a threat to the monarchy.

The monarchy must not sit like a museum piece

Having a residual monarchy, we must now decide how best to change it according to our times. There is a reason that when new states form, none want to become a monarchy, but instead chose for a parliamentary democracy. It is the role and duty of politicians to advise the monarchy on how best it can adapt.

Jerome di Costanzo
Writer, analyst and journalist

It is not the politicians' prerogative to reform the monarchy

The monarchy must change spontaneously and by its own free will, without the interference of politics. Britain cannot be modernised through politicians’ talk alone and 'mouvisme' - change for the sake of change.

The monarchy is needed to head the nation

The monarchy in Britain represents the common history of the country and is the legal witness to people's freedom. The upcoming royal wedding is a great opportunity to remind the world what Britishness is. The monarchy has a symbolic role.