Sir, - Di and Fergie's only route forward was out of the Windsor dynasty. Nuala O'Faolain's observations on their behaviour rings true - they were driven by their non-acceptance of lack of entitlement.
These modern women reject the notion of marriage between three (be that Camilla or the Royal Fleet) and reject the notion of silent acceptance of their subservient lot.
Other bastions of power remain to be challenged on the same premise. The hallowed paths of academia are widely served by women who educate the children of the nation, providing tutoring, lecturing, research supervision and guidance in the widest possible sense. Yet some universities have no women professors at all. Only 15 per cent of college officers are women.
By denying women access to senior professional grades, the net effect is to reinforce the power of male-dominated structures which devise and decide all the major policies. What is the continued role of the woman? Why, of course, they should accept their lot, and continue to "housekeep" the institutions. Where is daddy? He comes home to his leather armchair, symbol of professorial patriarchal power, puffs a cigar, and views the progeny for a prospective male heir. Yours, etc., MB, BCh, BAO, BSc, PhD, ALCM, Faculty of Medicine, UCD. Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.