Spare us yet more revelations from Prince Harry’s memoir

Indeed the book title not only describes Harry’s ranking in the royal hierarchy but the royal family in its totality.

The British public have been aware of a longstanding tension between William and Harry about the role of the royals in public life. Harry wants a more “normal” life away from the closely scripted pomp, ceremonial duties and the inherent stifling social protocols against marriage to “commoners” that not only he but also Edward VIII railed against before his abdication in favour of his love for Wallis Simpson.

READ MORE: Thousands sign Scottish petition against monarchy's secret lobbying

The biggest revelation by Harry so far is the alleged physical altercation between himself and William which is reminiscent of the TV series Dynasty. Far from their public posture of inherited superiority, the royals have exhibited all the tensions and rivalries of an ordinary family.

Since the death of the Queen, the royal family looks increasingly out of place in the 21st century. The fact is that the modern-day British public are less deferential towards the royals. Just into his reign, King Charles has narrowly avoided two attempted eggings.

When we get our independence, the people of Scotland should have a plebiscite on whether to retain the monarchy or not.

Sandy Gordon
Edinburgh

THE scene becomes familiar in more and more of our lives. A man sits in a room pouring out his anguish and despair to another person who listens attentively, probes, asks questions and comments. Family issues: for better or for worse, we all have them.

But the scene that we cannot avoid these days is a particular young man from a particular family. And the scenario being played out holds a reverse logic. Normally, the anguished individual would be paying a handsome fee to the listening one, and as a result might hope for some enlightenment and relief from pain. The therapeutic relationship.

READ MORE: King Charles' biographer warns new book could spell the end for royals

In this case, the anguished one is being paid a very, very hefty fee to endlessly repeat his woes. For our amusement? Our edification? The cash flow certainly excludes any possibility of some kind of therapeutic relationship. You could almost feel a kind of sympathy for the poor guy. Do not!

A friend once pointed out that money can’t buy you love. Aye right! But it sure can help you ride out misery in a considerable degree of comfort. Think on that, fellow citizens, as you turn the heating down this evening.

Lewis Waugh
Portobello

LIKE Paul Gillon in Saturday’s National, I am a republican but wholly accept in the present political world the significance of the UK royalty. I too would force Charlie to be crowned in Edinburgh for the reasons laid out by other correspondents on the subject.

This was the coded dying wish of Elizabeth, Charles’s respected mother. She, despite pressing duties in London, went to ground in Scotland when she felt her last days coming. One can sympathise with her desire for peace. But she knew what she was doing politically. She made clear her tie to Scotland and she knew that her death there would be marked with real solemnity. This was followed by her cortege through the locality and the worldwide audience watched the journey through the beauties of Scotland to Edinburgh.

If Charles does not understand the message of this – namely that he should take every opportunity to tie himself to Scotland by a coronation as King of Scots – he is playing into the hands of such as myself who cry for modern democracy.

Iain WD Forde
Scotlandwell

KIRSTY Strickland’s article on Scotland getting rid of the monarchy being a no-brainer is correct (We’d be daft to keep the monarchy in independent Scotland, Jan 9). It’s a central British institution and central to all the worst aspects of the UK from colonialism to aristocratic privilege, class inequality and undemocratic elite rule. It’s time we had a referendum on it in Scotland.

The monarchy is not benign like many imagine. It’s a symbol of gross inequality giving credence to the class system of hierarchy and ensuring aristocracy thrives, and it’s been a major building block of the British class system that has held so many people back as in Scotland.

Colin Beattie
via email

INSTEAD of spending money on flights, royal staff and security, England’s King could use the same money to fund the food bank he was visiting (King Charles to meet Aberdeenshire food bank staff amid Harry book row, thenational.scot, Jan 10). Or better still, he could pay more tax – including inheritance tax – to fund the social security system better so that people would not need to use a food bank. It’s time for Scotland to be independent and to be rid of Tory governments causing poverty, plus it’s time to be rid of the English monarchy.

Jason Kelly
via thenational.scot