He has described as ‘appalling’ the Tories’ plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Don’t expect him to change, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
The answer is no. A mountain of constitutional pomposity envelops Britain’s monarchy, as if stepping an inch out of line presages a republican coup.is not the monarch and even if he were, he would have no power over policy. He may generate a headline or two when an aide or friend breaks confidence in anonymous collusion with a newspaper. In the Rwanda case, widespread support for the prince is due to the fact that many people happen to agree with him.
Perhaps as king, Charles might risk a new deal. There are rumours that he hopes to reduce the scale of the disparate royal family and its establishment. The flummery of monarchy as a military costume drama is outdated, as is the extent of its private London estate. Outdated, too, is the rejection of retirement, now customary for monarchies across Europe.
In return for a long-overdue modernisation, Charles might choose to play a more active role in “counselling, encouraging and warning”. He has long contributed to the cultural and intellectual life of the nation. Given a new informality and a reduced profile, he could reasonably trespass on to some of the issues now upheaving the nation that he clearly holds dear. He would have no power of decision and no influence beyond that of debate. I am sure monarchy would survive the shock.
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