|
Right royal row in Wales 4/6/2007
A row has blown up among royals and anti-royals about the Queen's visit to Wales tomorrow (Tuesday) to open the new term of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff.
Plaid Assembly Members Leanne Wood and Bethan Jenkins are boycotting the visit and visiting homelessness projects instead of attending the royal opening.
But Neil Welton, leader of the Monarchy Wales website, says: "The latest research shows that 70% of people trust the Monarchy but only 7% trust elected representatives.
"The idea that the people of Wales would like to live in a republic, with a president who would be less trusted than a used car salesman, is as ludicrous as the sight of someone protesting against a Royal visit.
"Whether you personally like it or not, The Queen, her son and her grandson rightly hold a very  special place within the hearts and affections of the Welsh people. Not only that but the individual members of The Royal Family are also our guests and are entitled to be treated as such with the same basic respect, courtesy and kindness that has made the "warm Welsh welcome" renowned right around the world.
"Any other behaviour makes Wales, and all the people who live here, look no better than the person performing the protest - i.e. a complete laughing stock."
Plaid's Bethan Jenkins AM said: "As a Welsh person, I do not see how the Monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation. Of course, people are free to their opinion in support of the Monarchy, but I am equally free to criticise what I believe is an indefensible, undemocratic system.
"I want to create a truly democratic society, where inheriting power and privilege is consigned to the history books. Most of our European neighbours have successful democratic republics, and every new democracy that has emerged over the past thirty years has chosen to be a republic. There is nothing taboo or radical about being a republican in the 21st Century."
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will open the Third Welsh Assembly in Cardiff tomorrow.
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will arrive at Cardiff railway station before continuing by car to The Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
On arrival there will be a 21 Gun Salute by HMS Exeter before the Royal Party moves inside the building. The Queen will move to the Chamber and address the Assembly. There will be a presentation of the mace followed by a speech from the First Minister.
The Royal Party will then move to the upper level, where they will listen the Vale of Glamorgan Schools Choir and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra.
The Queen will then sign the commemorative parchment and receive a posy.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will then go to the National Museum in Cardiff where they will have lunch as guests of the National Assembly. Before lunch The Royal Party will visit several exhibitions and The Queen will unveil a plaque to commemorate the visit.
|
|
Share
|
