Serious Semite: The Case for Monarchy

I only ever once saw Queen Elizabeth II in person, at a garden party in the grounds at Buckingham Palace. It was an intimate affair, just me and 8,000 other people. There wasn’t any opportunity to say hello to Her Majesty, but it was a powerful experience. The Talmud has a blessing that you are meant to say on seeing a non-Jewish monarch. It is short, meaningful, and easy to remember. Needless to say, I forgot to say it.

The Queen looked very familiar, either because she always reminded me of my late Grandma, or because I had spent my entire life carrying around a picture of her in my wallet. Several pictures in fact, the number depending on my current stash of banknotes, coins and stamps. It’s probably better that we didn’t meet face to face. It can always get a bit awkward when you are introduced to someone, but know deep down that you have spent a lifetime licking the back of their picture every time you want to send a postcard.

For an inherently anti-monarchist nation, 10 million Americans still tuned in to watch King Charles’ coronation. A lot more people would have tuned in, but the ceremony did take place on Shabbat.

July 4th is a good time to reflect on what was once the biggest question facing America: what is the point of having a monarchy? Although it seems ironic that for an inherently anti-monarchist nation, 10 million Americans still tuned in to watch King Charles’ coronation. Under normal circumstances, a lot more people would have tuned in, but the ceremony did take place on Shabbat.

As America remembers its independence on July 4th, and strives to forget its ties with the British monarchy, the monarchy is in the process of reminding its people why it exists at all. The last three years have been turbulent, with the deaths of Prince Philip and his wife the Queen, the complicated family dynamic around the coronation of King Charles, and the scandal around his brother Prince Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Then there are two other problems facing the British monarchy, and both of them live in California. King Charles has continued to go out of his way to demonstrate his love and support for his son Prince Harry, going so far as to wish him and Meghan well during the Christmas speech in 2022. They were invited to the King’s coronation earlier this year, and Harry came, unaccompanied by his wife.

With all of this going on, there is a strong conversation around whether you should still have a monarchy in 2023. Although they don’t have political power, they do have prominence, influence, and taxpayer-bestowed affluence. 

The numbers are less important. Whilst their cost to the taxpayer is £86m ($110 million) through the “Sovereign Grant,” according to Brand Finance, the Royal Family brings in £2.5bn ($3.19bn) on an annual basis, through tourist ticket admissions to royal palaces and houses, gift shop sales, and other income streams. But this is about more than just a business investment.

There is one single argument that overrides everything: the monarchy creates unity. Like America, Britain has a two-party system. Just as the US government swings between Republicans and Democrats, Britain oscillates between the Conservative and Labour party. The rough 50-50 split means that only 50% of people are happy with the ruling party at any one time. Right now, 49% of British people are still upset at the outcome of Brexit. 

But the vote is different when it comes to the King. 62% of British people are in favor of the royal family, and the number rises to 79% amongst people over 65. That is a significant statistic. It is far more than is ever achieved by a political party, and even former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s historic landslide electoral win of 2019 was only 42.4% of the population. 

Unity is sorely needed in this divided world, and we are going to feel it more than ever in the run up to the 2024 Presidential election. Unelected monarchs are ordinary human beings born into extraordinary circumstances, but the office they work for is something that represents long-term stability and continuity. 

I look forward to the occasion when I get to meet King Charles. And this time I’m going to remember to say the blessing.

Marcus J Freed www.marcusjfreed and on social @marcusjfreed.