Reza Pahlavi in the NYT

The heir of the late Shah of Iran answers some impertinent questions from the New York Times with rather more dignity than they deserve.

Architecture and the Monarchy

As noted previously, Prince Charles's war against modernist architecture has not endeared him to the architectural establishment, though I'm not convinced that the whining of these pompous defenders of ugliness truly constitutes a serious "Debate Over Monarchy."

More from Empress Farah

The Shah's widow may have been in exile for 30 years, but Empress Farah has never lost touch with events in Iran.

Henry VIII Coronation Anniversary Service

Available (for the next five days) to listen at the BBC website is Sunday's highly recommended Chapel Royal service marking the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Henry VIII, with music of William Smith, Purcell, Tallis, and Henry VIII himself. The King's "Green Growth the Holly" features BBC Young Chorister of the Year Harry Bradford, 13, as soloist. The Rt Rev'd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Dean of the Chapel Royal, preaches a thoughtful and inspiring sermon on the monarchy.

Lonely Battle

With ugliness abundant in modern British society, who besides Prince Charles speaks up for beauty, asks Nigel Farndale.

Future Commander in Chief

Prince William, in a joint interview with brother Prince Harry, has not given up hopes of being allowed to fight in Afghanistan.

Iranian monarchist hopes

Exiled de jure Shah Reza II Pahlavi and his mother Empress Farah view the current turmoil in Iran as a threat to the Islamic Republic. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that most opponents of the Ahmadinejad regime see monarchy as the answer. Crown Prince Reza says that he is not necessarily fighting for the the restoration of the monarchy, but only for a democratic and secular government which might or might not include a European-style constitutional monarchy; I wish he would, but perhaps he is simply being prudent.