Susan Dalgety: King Charles? Stand by for republicanism

Queen Elizabeth II - Britain's favourite granny. Picture: Michael Gillen

This pensioner is still working, not because she needs money to supplement her pension, but because when Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was crowned Queen on 2 June 1953, she signed up for life.

Now I think a constitutional monarchy is a bit daft. Why should Prince William be our putative head of state just because he was born to Charles and Diana?

He seems a nice enough bloke, but there are thousands of nice enough, 30-something blokes, and women, who could do the job equally as well.

Rich countries such as ours, tend to look down on sub-Saharan African countries where paramount chiefs and village headmen have more real power than elected politicians.

There is no difference between say, Chief Theresa Kachindamoto in Malawi and Princess Anne, as both women inherited their influential positions. Though Princess Anne is considerably richer.

So until we come up with an acceptable alternative to the monarch – President Trump anyone? – it seems we are stuck with the House of Windsor.

This is fine while Britain’s favourite granny is on the throne, but when her son, the irascible, slightly eccentric Prince Charles takes over, as one day he must, his coronation may well be greeted with a tidal wave of republicanism.

If I were Charles I would abdicate in advance and hand over the reins of power to my eldest son, and spend more time with my plants.