Britain’s Royal Family

I liked your front-page article (Nov. 7) anent the British Royal Family.

But despite the publicity, and the adulation, and the elevated nonsense that attends them, it cannot be denied that these are not free citizens but rather captives in a gilded cage, trapped by the accident of birth, or lured in by the promise of wealth and fame. Once in, the pressures that keep them there are fierce indeed: abdicator equals traitor. We saw it happen not too long ago.

Any country in which some citizens are less than free is less than a democracy.

An elected or appointed monarch would be better. The position carries little power; it is essentially show business. Any respectable retired actor could play the part, and would love it. And what to do with superannuated actors is a problem that gives us all increasing concern, isn’t it?

ALAN GRIFFITHS

Los Angeles