FUTURE REIGN

Re Prince Charles Holds Lessons For All Of Us (Report on Business, May 16): My thanks to contributor Laurel Broten. This column has been a long time coming.

Prince Charles has been an advocate for environmental issues for so many years.

His knowledge is extensive but, sadly, he has been given little credit.

He is a fine man and will, one day, make an exceptional king. I hope Canada will give him the chance.

Diana Black Victoria

Re What We Ignore When We Talk About Abolishing The Monarchy (May 17): Contributor Ralph Heintzman quickly demolishes the misguided notion that Prince Charles won’t become King Charles, noting the complexities of the Constitution Act of 1982 which embed the monarchy in Canada essentially forever.

Faced with that bald fact, he offers anti-monarchists a salve: Charles is actually a decent chap who will likely make a decent king.

That may very well be. But in 2022, does the world still need a ruler, even a symbolic one, whose power, albeit limited, is divinely authorized?

Praise for Charles suggests he could easily make his way in the world on personal merit, instead of inherited privilege.

Geoff Rytell Toronto

I disagree: That it is difficult to change our political system should not be an objection at all. Our best triumphs are always difficult.

When we escape binary thinking, we abandon from our reasoning the question of, “Is Prince Charles good or bad?” and replace it with the idea that there is always room for improvement – and that we don’t need Charles, as great as he is.

We can invent something better, the same way our ancestors did.

Patrick Burgomaster Terrace, B.C.

As an 82-year old Canadian, I am proud to be a citizen of the only “kingdom” in the Americas.

When I look at the republics south of the border all the way to the tip of Argentina, I see a tragic history of revolution, civil and territorial wars, lurches between democracy and dictatorship, appalling abuses of civil rights, staggering inequality and heroic attempts to achieve the “decent society” that we already enjoy.

Canada has much to repent for, much to improve and many things to be grateful for – our constitutional monarchy being one of them.

When our dear Queen passes on, I will raise a glass to the new king of Canada, the symbol of the traditions, institutions and values that underlie our “peaceable kingdom.”

Larry Muller Trent Lakes, Ont.

We should acknowledge what the Crown represents or, more importantly, doesn’t to millions of people whose forebears were colonized and dominated by the monarchy. Just because it’s there shouldn’t make it right.

Just because Prince Charles is accomplished – good for him – shouldn’t make him relevant. Just because there are far worse institutions and figureheads shouldn’t make us lucky to be under a royal thumb. Many have paid a heavy price under colonization.

The monarchy may be here to stay for a while. But we shouldn’t be lectured about why we should like it.

Shirley Phillips Toronto

My great-grandmother, a refugee from czarist Russia, would insist that her children stand at attention when God Save the King was played at home on the radio.

In her name and all those who find shelter and safety under our constitutional monarchy, I say to Prince Charles: “God save our future king.”

Donnie Friedman Toronto