AFTER all their efforts to secure the monarchy's future by improving its standing, the royal family is rocked today by an in-house blow - with one of the Queen's chaplains throwing doubt on the value of an hereditary monarchy.
The logic of Canon Eric James is inescapable - the hereditary system is a lottery.
But his alternative of an "elected" monarchy is, surely, unworkable.
For if royal blood is to be a condition of candidature, one form of hereditary monarchy would only be replaced by another.
And if that is not be a proviso, then, the country would be choosing an un-royal head of state - and having a president and a republic instead.
Previous news story
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article