Letter: Royal betrayal

Simon Day
Tuesday 27 August 1996 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: As the last dismal chapter in the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales is played out, I am puzzled by an inconsistency in our treatment of adulterous public figures.

As several Tory ministers have discovered to their cost in recent years, we British seem to be very attached to the view that the private betrayal of one's spouse and family indicates that a person cannot be trusted with public office. This isn't a view that is widespread abroad - for example, my Spanish friends find it totally incomprehensible - but it is common to many in this country. So why don't we apply it to members of the Royal Family?

SIMON DAY

E-mail: 101373.536@CompuServe.COM

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in