Susie O’Brien: Why we should all chant for a republic instead of a new king
Suggestions of chants of allegiance to King Charles during the coronation are tone-deaf — the entrenched privilege of the monarchy has no place in a modern democracy.
Opinion
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I welcome Aussies being asked to unite in a rousing “chant for Charles” and swear allegiance to the new king as part of the weekend coronation.
Such offensive, outdated and tone-deaf suggestions will propel us faster towards republicanism.
The changes highlight the entrenched privilege of the monarchy, which has no place in a modern democracy.
Instructions, which include chanting “May the King live forever” in unison, are unlikely to unite and inspire Britons and members of the Commonwealth. All they do is illustrate our lowly status as royal “subjects”.
The inclusion of a “Homage of the People”, which replaces a pledge solely made by members of the House of Lords, is designed to show how modern and inclusive the royal family is.
However, it will do the exact opposite, particularly given that people are asked to pledge “true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors”.
This includes paying tribute to outcasts such as the disgraced Prince Andrew and his nephew Prince Harry, neither of whom deserve a phone call, let alone a pledge of loyalty.
Britons have been reassured that: “It’s up to you whether or not you want to join in the homage”. How sad that they have to be reminded of this fact.
Anti-coronation sentiment is rising in the UK, where people are facing their worst economic crisis in decades, with the cost of fuel and heating soaring. Sitting in living rooms they can’t afford to heat, people are being asked to chant “May the King live forever”.
Charles is being lauded for having a more modern and inclusive coronation, but he and his Queen will arrive in a golden coach, be anointed in oil and wear velvet and golden robes. Camilla will receive an octagonal, mixed-cut ruby surrounded by 14 diamonds. Yes, of course she will.
Such feudal overtones merely serve to highlight how bizarre and outdated the monarchy is, particularly for Commonwealth countries like Australia. We cannot have an Australian as head of state. Instead we are stuck with a Brit born into the role.
It’s no wonder protesters are highlighting the cost of the coronation, which is set to reach nearly $500m AUD.
Recent polling shows only 40 per cent of Australians want to keep King Charles as head of state, falling to 31.2 per cent among those aged 18 to 35.
The organisers say the chant for Charles will come from a “chorus of millions”. A murmur from thousands is more likely.
Originally published as Susie O’Brien: Why we should all chant for a republic instead of a new king
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