Damien

Here is my view on the monarchy. I don't like the parts of it that Republicans claim it represents. I don't like the idea of inequality, of a higher class of person or of special privilege because of the family you are born into.

However I don't think that's what they, or at least the current Queen, represent. I think it's nice to have a head of state that is removed from politics. When we open the Olympic games it will be the Queen and not the current Prime Minster who will forever be associated with that moment. I think that's quite nice and very handy. We can represent the country with a figurehead who is largely free from political baggage.

I also think a lot of the people celebrating this weekend are celebrating Britain and the British and she is representing that. It's an excuse for a party and for national celebration.

It may change if Prince Charles becomes King and doesn't keep his opinions to himself but for now I like the current system.