Monday, September 27, 2010

Cheers for the King in Athens

At least some ordinary Greeks apparently agree with my previous post. Australians for Constitutional Monarchy reports that truck drivers demonstrating in Athens, surprised to see King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, regaled them with cheers, calling for them to return to the throne and throw out the politicians. But can monarchists capitalize on such spontaneous events and overcome the formidable obstacles republics (which are far more intolerant of monarchists than monarchies are of republicans) place in their way?

Friday, September 24, 2010

Balkan Kings


Thanks to Radical Royalist for this report (including the photograph shown here) on a recent gathering of the four rightful sovereigns of the leading Balkan countries and their families. King Simeon II of Bulgaria, Crown Prince Alexander (II) of Serbia [Yugoslavia], King Michael I of Romania, and King Constantine II of Greece were together to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine. As far as I'm concerned, the alleged "Fall" of Communism in Eastern Europe is a sham and a fraud as long as these four men are denied their rightful thrones. If only they and not common politicians were ruling the Balkans!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Médaille on Monarchy

Catholic professor John Médaille of the University of Dallas explains in The Remnant why he is a Monarchist. (Interestingly, though writing here in a traditionalist publication, Médaille is not a [liturgical] traditionalist himself and, a mutual friend tells me, has only recently come around to the monarchist point of view, which he used to oppose.) Some of his points are not unlike those I've made myself, particularly regarding the illusion of "choice" in modern democracy. While I would be reluctant to link monarchism too closely to the entirety of the traditional Catholic agenda, the truth of much of what he says can be appreciated by readers of any religious viewpoint. I'm not sure, however, what the juxtaposition of the images of Louis XVI and Barack Obama is supposed to mean.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Greatest Nation?

David B. Hart denies that the United States is the "Greatest Nation on Earth," whimsically nominating the Kingdom of Bhutan as an alternative recipient of this nonsensical designation. Alas, Bhutan is changing, and probably not for the better, as lamented by both The Mad Monarchist and Peter Hitchens. At least they still have their monarchy, unlike a certain other Himalayan country.

"Scandal-Ridden" Monarchies?

Canadian publication Maclean's irreverently profiles Europe's surviving monarchies. Writer Patricia Treble exaggerates the importance of various "scandals" and (as RadicalRoyalist points out) ignores the rather more serious problems plaguing republics such as Germany's, but concludes that monarchies are "good fun" and acknowledges that republics are no cheaper. Serious monarchists, however, are likely to regret that "good fun" is the extent to which modern monarchies are all too often appreciated, and may be forgiven for wondering if the marital decisions of younger royalty might indeed have something to do with it.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

WSJ on Ahmed Fouad II

The Wall Street Journal profiles Egypt's King Ahmed Fouad II, who reigned briefly as a baby in 1952-53 following the ouster of his father King Farouk (1920-1965). The image of Egypt's monarchy has in recent years begun to recover from the propaganda of the Nasser regime. The King lives in Switzerland and apparently has not had a particularly happy life, though he points out with a hint of optimism that monarchy has worked beautifully for Spain.

There is one slight error in the article, which says that "King Constantine II of Greece fled his country in 1967 when the junta abolished the monarchy"; actually the junta did not get around to that until 1973, with Constantine nominally remaining king while in exile for six years.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Sir Charles Petrie (1895-1977)

Australian journalist and musician R J Stove (who has kindly linked to my website for years) profiles the distinguished but neglected monarchist historian Sir Charles Petrie, who among his many other worthy activities used to write articles for the International Monarchist League (founded 1943) to which I have belonged since 1999.

More on Nikolaos & Tatiana of Greece

Taki's Magazine has articles on the recent Greek royal wedding by Maria Carraciola and Taki himself.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Meghrajji III of Dhrangadhra-Halvad (1923-2010)

The last Indian Maharaja to reign under the British Empire recently died at the age of 87. Judging from his Telegraph obituary and this tribute by Rafal Heydel-Mankoo, he seems to have been a delightful and fascinating gentleman. I particularly liked his comments about the Coronation:

In 1953 the Maharaja was invited to attend the Coronation of HM The Queen at Westminster Abbey, an occasion he found deeply moving. When I reported recent news stories of possible alterations to the Coronation service in order to better represent a multi-faith society, the Hindu scholar was unequivocal in his condemnation: “If the Coronation ceremony in its traditional form and all its glory is abandoned I shall mourn its loss as an exquisite part of our world heritage. It would be like the wanton destruction of a national, indeed a world monument, – say Stonehenge or the Taj Mahal.”

When will the West's politically correct killjoys learn that their alleged "multicultural sensitivity" is actually patronising and insulting to thoughtful non-Christians and non-Westerners?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Republican Slump Down Under

To the delight of good monarchists everywhere such as Australian David Flint and Canadian Robert Finch, a new poll reveals that support for a republic in Australia has sunk to its lowest level in 16 years. So much for that "inevitability" they're always telling us about...