Is there any honour in a knighthood?
ROYAL aide Michael Fawcett has come under fire for seemingly offering to help secure a knighthood to a wealthy donor to one of Prince Charles’s charities (Mail). There was a time when I’d have been angry at this, but no longer. except for a small number of exceptions, a knighthood has become an honour with little reverence. For some time, they have been doled out by the bucket load to celebrities, retired MPs and civil service mandarins. All of whom have achieved nothing exceptional over and above merely doing their jobs for which they are overpaid. Frankly, getting a knighthood these days is not much of an honour.
C. JACKSON, Newcastle upon Tyne. OVeR the centuries, royal courtiers have exploited their position for private gain. In Medieval times, noblemen pledged their loyalty on the battlefield to the monarch and were rewarded with titles and lands. Throughout the ages, any courtier who was fortunate enough to have the ear of the king or queen had no scruples about using their position for personal gain. however, today, people expect probity. In his eagerness to obtain funds for his admirable charities, Prince Charles unfortunately may have left himself open to exploitation. he means well, but questionable deals mean he is in danger of tarnishing his reputation while providing ammunition to critics of the monarchy.
LINDA SHERIDAN, York. WhAT is the difference between paying for honours and receiving them from the Prime Minister for doing something that will advance your interests? The truth is that patronage has been around for centuries.
CHRIS PARKER, Buckingham. IF PRINCe Charles has to let Michael Fawcett go, I’m sure he can find someone else to squeeze the toothpaste onto his toothbrush!
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