One of the best scenes in the first season of “The Crown” is a flashback to the coronation of George VI. In this scene, the new king is rehearsing for the ceremony with the assistance of little Elizabeth. There are about three ideas running through his head at the same time, and you can see all of them on his face. It’s great acting, and it shouldn’t be missed.
I had some of the same thoughts watching the coronation yesterday morning. On the one hand, any ceremony that reminds us that we are just the latest links in a very long chain is, in my view, a good thing. On the other hand, the fundamental premises behind the ceremony are long gone. Nobody believes in any of it anymore. So what’s the point?
The TV commentators clearly believed it will go on forever. Personally, I’m not so sure. There are advantages to a monarchy, but anachronistic mumbo-jumbo isn’t necessarily one of them.