Jeremy Paxman

Diary – 7 October 2006

I embarked upon my new book, On Royalty, because I was genuinely baffled by the devotion monarchies seem to inspire

I embarked upon my new book, On Royalty, because, as a republican, I was genuinely baffled by the devotion monarchies seem to inspire. Yet the more I looked into it, the less there seemed to be to the republican cause: monarchy may be antique and democratically indefensible, but it becomes hard to see what would be gained by destroying it. What I had failed properly to clock, though, is the extent of personal dislike for Prince Charles. The Great Boiled Egg Controversy â” a matter which occupies an entire three sentences of the book, and which I described as ‘so preposterously extravagant as to be unbelievable’ â” only took off because it seemed to fit preconceptions that he is spoilt and peevish. When the Daily Mail sent someone to interview me her main interest (apart from such cutting-edge questions as ‘Do you dream about the Queen in black underwear?’) was in whether Prince Charles was fit to be king. Part of the trouble is a hangover from the failure of his first marriage â” though why this is any of our business is a mystery to me. I think the problem is really one of familiarity without any obvious purpose. As Alan Bennett once wrote, ‘To be heir to the throne is not a position, it is a predicament.’ The last heir to have a clear brief was Edward I in 1254. But the fact that Prince Charles is not the most popular member of his family does not make him unfit to be king: the hereditary principle makes personal foibles irrelevant. And anyway, there’s every chance that once he escapes the predicament he’ll be seen differently. Just look at Edward VII.

****

A Newsnight viewer sent me a copy of the Children’s Newspaper from George V’s reign the other day.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in