An inclusive and uplifting Coronation has exposed the divisiveness of the republican cause
sir – People who want an elected head of state fail to understand what makes our constitutional monarchy so popular – for two reasons.
First, an elected head of state would divide the country into those who voted for them and those who didn’t. The election would become political. Our monarch is there to serve us all, however we vote. It is clear that people from all walks of life and of every political allegiance (or none) recognise this, given the extremely positive reaction to royal visits. The monarch lifts up the poor and vulnerable, and honours those who give service – something politicians only claim to do. The apolitical nature of the monarch’s role is crucial, which is why the King will be rightly criticised if he makes political statements.
The second reason is continuity. An elected head of state would be in for a fixed term, so in all likelihood we would end up with a series of celebrities and has-been politicians. Our monarchy represents stability in a changing world, and serves as a rallying point in times of danger and distress. We, the people, know this. Those who don’t understand should not be allowed to take it from us. Alison Levinson
Hastings, East Sussex
sir – Listening to the King’s solemn promises to serve the country and its communities, I found myself wondering whether republicans could identify a candidate prepared to make a similar commitment.
Judging by the quality of the political representatives we obtain through voting, I am sceptical. Norma Murray
Ulverston, Cumbria
sir – The fact that our Prime Minister, a Hindu of Indian descent, read a passage from the Bible during the Coronation says much about Britain’s impressive diversity.
Nick James Brighton, East Sussex sir – The cost of the monarchy (Letters, May 7) is less than £1.30 per person per annum. However, this figure does not reflect the money that the monarchy generates through tourism and other activities. The uplift to the hospitality industry from the Coronation alone has far exceeded the cost of the sovereign grant.
Whenever I have debated this matter with a republican, they have never provided any facts to substantiate their claims that we can no longer afford the monarchy. Alan Belk
Leatherhead, Surrey
sir – Those who are complaining that the police were too heavy-handed with republican protesters (report, May 7) are missing the point.
The protesters were not there to protest (which is their right); they were there to disrupt, which is a completely different matter. John Frankel Newbury, Berkshire sir – More than 50 people were arrested on the day of the Coronation. Were they terrorists, perhaps? No – they were arrested for having a different opinion about the monarchy.
Charles I had no respect for democracy, and I am saddened that the reign of Charles III has begun on a similar note.
Derek Mcmillan
Durrington, West Sussex
sir – The anti-monarchy group Republic was allowed to protest in Trafalgar Square, a high-profile site. This was covered by the BBC. So why the complaints?
The right to peaceful protest in the United Kingdom is alive and well – just like the monarchy.
Shaun Whyte
Alnmouth, Northumberland
sir – Watching Match of the Day on Saturday, I was appalled by the fans at Anfield who booed the national anthem. We had already seen the match at Bournemouth, where fans either sang or stayed silent.
The contrast reflects very poorly on Liverpool. Herbert Chappell Woking, Surrey sir – As a Mancunian by birth and a Manchester United supporter by choice, I have little affinity with the Liverpool supporters who booed the national anthem. They are not alone, however, in their distaste for it.
The King has expressed a view that he is here to serve, not to be served. Perhaps a suitable signal of his intent would be for him to commission a new anthem about the history and future of the United Kingdom, rather than deference to a monarch. Andrew C Pierce Barnstaple, Devon sir – I agree with Elizabeth Bates (Letters, May 7) on how fortunate it is that the King has an interest in classical music, and that this could serve to enthuse others.
What struck me about the Coronation was not just the choice of music, but the sheer excellence of its rendition. From the organ and orchestra to the soloists and choirs, every musician performed brilliantly and from the heart – the result of many hours of dedicated practice.
It is to be hoped that this event will have been an inspiration to aspiring young musicians.
Stan Labovitch
Windsor, Berkshire
sir – There was much concern over possible attempts to disrupt the Coronation.
In the event, however, no external agents were required: the disruption was supplied by the BBC, with television coverage that suffered from numerous drop-outs in the sound.
At least the irritating commentaries during the opening music of key works such as Zadok the Priest and I Was Glad could be avoided because an alternative version was available via iplayer. Jonathan Mann Gunnislake, Cornwall sir – Can someone explain to me why I Was Glad did not even come into the top 300 pieces in Classic FM’S Hall of Fame?
It should have been in the top 20. It brought me to tears at the start of the Coronation service.
Brenda Frisby Oakham, Rutland