Disavowing Discretion

The Royals are coming! The Royals are here! The sun never sets on the British Empire. Of which Canada is part, sovereign as we are. Yet we recognize Queen Elizabeth as our Sovereign, our Head of State. In fond acknowledgement of history and tradition and our pride of place in that long-passed Empire. We don't consider ourselves to be colonials. We're respectful of our antecedents.

So that, when members of the Royal Family come to visit, as they are wont to do, on occasion, sometimes for singular occasions, occasionally casually, we welcome them and offer our very best wishes in as gracious a manner as possible. Unless, of course, you're a member of the Bloc Quebecois, and grumpily observe, as did its leader, Gilles Duceppe: "The monarchy is a system that is depasse and archaic.

"I call it a genetic lottery. People who say they have blue blood should see their doctor as soon as they can." Who knew that this taciturn man who loves to hate Quebec's provincial role within Canada, and who strives mightily to remove his beloved French province from confederation, possessed so trenchant a wit? Canadians seem to be divided on the matter of the British Monarchy and this country's reverence for it.

Still, traditions - some of them - deserve to be honoured, and this is one of them, in the estimation of many. Most Canadian parliamentarians do not hold like opinions to that of Gilles Duceppe, other than members of his political party. Some do, however. Rarely, though, the upper echelon of Canada's political hierarchy. And then, there is the Leader of the Liberal party of Canada. Who, in his days as a London-based journalist expressed his magisterial opinion.

With the very public and quite sordid dissolution of the-then (hugely dysfunctional) marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and his exhibitionist wife, Princess Diana, Mr. Ignatieff waxed indignant: " We are being told to sympathize with the private grief of the tragic couple. We are being asked to believe that the horrid tabloids are to blame. Buckingham Palace and No.10 Downing Street smoothly assure us that the couple's private misery need have no constitutional implications.

"Enough of this nonsense. The Royal Family is not doing its job." Ah, how one's public musings and particularly those committed to print form, come back to haunt. At the most inconvenient of times, as it happens. As evidence of a certain lack of respect, of sympathy for an institution deserving of respect, and of sympathy even as its principals exhibit all the traits of fallible human beings, taking their place in the temper of the times.

"Listening to the separation announcement, I found myself wondering exactly why this shambles was so magically preferable to an elected presidency", grumped journalist Ignatieff. "The problem is not that the monarchy is failing to live up to some rosy family ideal. The British Royal Family never has ... Along with the dutiful, diligent and much-loved Queen, we have had madmen, philanderers and incompetents on the throne."

Wait for it, Mr. Ignatieff; another mad philandering incompetent is set to assume the throne. You will have the opportunity to discuss this directly with him very soon; say November 10?

Some of us, however, respect this man. He is a genuine polymath in the sweep and breadth of his talents and interests. Do, when you have the opportunity, speak respectfully to him, obliging him to return the compliment. And if the length of your mutual conversation permits, you may just learn something worthwhile from him. Humility and compassion come to mind.