Anti Tarnish

I now realize the greatest threat to the monarchy?

I've discovered a point of view of why some may be anti-monarchy. In this point of view, I don't think they're so much in favor of getting rid of it, but now I see their thinking.

I knew an old lady from Scotland. She had an infectious smile; no matter if you were in a bad mood, one glance would change your day for the better.

While she wasn't against the monarchy, her wonderful smile disappeared when Prince Charles was mentioned. She was angered at his treatment of Diana. Maybe it was one event or more, but it stuck in her mind forever.

I can see this point of view against monarchy, not because of articulated or even crude posts by people against it, but by the rudeness and arrogance of only a few posts in support of the monarchy which rather than instill admiration, needlessly insults people who contribute.

Agree or disagree that it can take only one event to tarnish such a highly polished and venerable institution in some people's minds ?

"Opinion" is not always fair - by its very nature it contains some element of prejudice. The prejudice has usually been created or fed by interested parties such as the media who thrive on causing the public, in the case of the monarchy issue, to set up camps in favour of one "player" against another.

We will never learn the whole truth of the Charles/Diana saga - certainly not from those who were involved in each camp, especially these days, when money and celebrity seem to be valued higher than integrity.

The majority of the public will never know or understand the way of life of the Royals as it is so very far removed from their own, and therefore they cannot possibly judge them by their own standards. What is normal and acceptable in royal or aristocratic circles may not be acceptable to others.

I do agree that it can take only one event or one misdemeanour to completely destroy ALL respect or admiration we have for a person or institution. It is the same when someone is accused of a crime of which they are subsequently acquitted. Once the seed of doubt has been sown, the good opinion we once held can be lost forever.

On a lighter note, one would have thought (from this week's media reports on William and Kate Middleton) that the greatest threat to the monarchy was the use of the word "toilet" instead of "lavatory"!