I spent most of my life as an ardent atheist republican. But the older I get, able to look back on half a century with differing degrees of clarity, the more I value the things that anchor us in the turbulent and unpredictable stream of history.
Do we need a hereditary head of state to do that? No. Are current views a bit skewed by the fact Liz Windsor is a kind of "national grandmother" through a remarkable chunk of history? Yes. But when I look at alternative forms of head of state I find myself unimpressed... I like our division between ceremony, tradition and real power. Picking a family at random every decade might work, but this version of monarchy dies with Liz anyway, so I'll just enjoy it for what it is, while it is.
Like most things in life, the harder you study it, the messier it becomes. Intellectually I know monarchy makes no sense any more, but I know the whole god thing makes no sense either. Yet as I enter the stage of life where folk that made up my past -- whether friends, family, or from wider cultural influences -- are falling like flies, I increasingly feel the need for religion in my life. Not for the god thing. Nobody's every going to convince me there's a god. But people need family, community, to belong to something greater than themselves... if only to take your mind off the yawning chasm of infinite nothingness which lies ahead. And traditions help with that, whether we appreciate it for much of our lives or not. I certainly didn't.
So, er... my Mum's dementia means she's sat across the room oblivious to everything but her most basic human needs. She's already mostly in that chasm. But she used to sparkle with delight when she recalled her granny buying them a telly to watch the Coronation on, and how the neighbours came round to watch. Mum can't watch these celebrations now, and if I'm honest I'm not that fussed myself about watching our somewhat uncoordinated marchers doing their marching. But I'm watching them for her... and because This Morning is unwatchable with Dermot & Alison.
)
I'm Whiskey tasting till Saturday far far away from my neighbours to hopefully not have to discuss the monarchy or accidentally upset anyone...