Sunday 2 August 2009

Alex and Queen Elizabeth of England

As we (should) know the present Queen Elizabeth is not Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland because Queen Elizabeth I of England reigned before the Act of Union of 1707. The queen recently paid a visit to the Scottish Parliament as recognition of the parliament's tenth anniversary. Alex Salmond, the chief minister, was present and in his speech he alluded to the possibility of a change in the constitution whereby Scotland would regain its independent status. It is quite likely that, despite the queen's invidious title, she would remain as nominal head of state in Scotland and that Scotland would become a dominion just as Canada, Australia and New Zealand are. The main concern is that Scotland should achieve complete autonomy at the earliest opportunity and it is not such an issue as to whether or not the nation achieves this goal as a monarchy or as a republic.

2 comments:

James Dowden said...

I suppose Mrs Guelph von Battenberg being the Queen of Scotland is less of an insult than her having fallen in line with that horrible English tradition of calling her heir the Prince of Wales.

Unknown said...

Somehow I don't think that the Investiture Ceremony will be held again, ever!