A chara, – Charles M Quinn (April 13th) seems to think it is somehow disrespectful to refer to the head of state of our nearest neighbour by the lowly title of Mrs Windsor. Though I welcome her visit as a sign of detente between our two nations, she has none of the legitimacy of President Obama, who holds his position as the outcome of a democratic process. The very concept of monarchy is abhorrent and anachronistic, and I fail to see how anyone, in 2011, can support a system which endows the right to rule through nothing more than lineage.
It is not for me to dictate to the people of another sovereign nation how they choose to arrange their governance structure, but as soon as my friends across the Irish Sea come to crave the freedom enjoyed throughout their former colonies, they will have my full support in effecting a (peaceful) transition to real democracy. In the meantime, don’t expect me to bow and curtsey to Elizabeth when she comes to visit in my own land. – Is mise,
Madam, – The fawning obsequiousness of Charles M Quinn when referring to the British queen is the very reason secular republicans should repudiate all persons who obtain wealthy and influential posts by accident of birth or undemocratic election. Elizabeth Windsor, Joseph Ratzinger, Albert Grimaldi and Tenzin Gyatso (so called Dalai Lama) are perfectly entitled to visit this Republic as representatives of their countries and/or religions.
However, they are not entitled to deference, reverence or, indeed, to be referred to by fantastic, semi-feudal titles such Your Majesty or Your Holiness. These self- appointed titles are nothing more than totems of undeserved privilege. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Matt Doyle is incorrect when he writes “In 1900 Queen Victoria (Battenberg) visited Ireland” (April 14th). Queen Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, not Battenberg. Her granddaughter, Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, was queen consort of King Alfonso X111 of Spain. The current King of Spain, Juan Carlos, is her grandson.
As the National Graves Association opposes the upcoming visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth, might I suggest that it organise a children’s party in Clontuk Park, Drumcondra? This was the venue for a lavish party organised by Maud Gonne, Jennie Wyse Power and others in July 1900 as a counter-treat for those children of nationalist families who did not attend the official children’s party in the Phoenix Park during the royal visit to Dublin. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Writing about the forthcoming royal visit, Matt Doyle refers to the “undemocratic partition” of Ireland. I was under the impression that a majority of citizens in the North are content to live under the British crown. How exactly is this undemocratic? It amazes me that anyone, on either side of the Irish Sea, would consider it a good idea for Queen Elizabeth to pay an official visit to the Republic at present. Both in terms of protocol and security, it will be everybody’s worst nightmare. Whether or not her majesty enjoys her visit to the Guinness Storehouse, I suspect there’ll be plenty of people who’ll be more than ready for a pint when she is safely off Irish soil again. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Why is Queen Elizabeth visiting the Guinness Storehouse, asks Peter McDonnell (April 14th). It is because in our times the rest of the inhabitants of our planet associate Ireland with Guinness: brawny guys surfing the waves, handsome couples meeting up for the craic.
One great mind-altering legal business disguised as lifestyle and success, describing a virtual reality. Turn a blind eye to the grotty reality of the drink, the morning-after destruction of lives. That is the reality hereabouts.Party on! Even invite the Queen of England to put her imprimatur on it! – Yours, etc,