Monarchy

As a dual Canadian and Spanish citizen, I have two monarchs, but wonder how long each monarchy will last.

The recent coronation of King Charles III has once again awakened discussion in Canada about the future of the monarchy and whether Canada should become a republic.

Advocates of republican sentiments in Canada argue that it is time that we had a Canadian head of state and that the cost of monarchy for Canada would be better spent elsewhere.

I disagree.

In reality, the Canadian Governor General acts as Head of State in every way and represents Canada at home and abroad. 

Completely apolitical, Governors General provide Canadians with a symbol of the nation that she serves. The costs of having a Governor General pale by comparison with the cost of holding presidential elections every five years. The last Canadian federal election cost taxpayers some $600 million. 

A president would have to be paid a salary, would have travel costs and live in an official residence, and have their full staff. Moreover, an elected president would have some partisan leanings and would likely not be above politics. By definition, elected presidents would have to have partisan supporters that would negate the apolitical nature of the office.

The system we have now provides historical depth and a series of national symbols that serve Canada well as a multicultural pluralistic society. Canada has had Governors General who were of Haitian, Chinese, Ukrainian, and indigenous origins. They represented well the cultural and racial mosaic of our country, and this has provided an excellent basis for Canada’s de facto head of state.

Keep reading: Fotos: Así fue la coronación del rey Carlos III del Reino Unido

King Charles III has incorporated many modern elements to his coronation, such as the prominence given to multireligious and multiracial representation to ensure that the essences of modern Britain and Canada are projected. His lifelong concern for the environment makes him a champion for addressing one of the major concerns of British and Canadian youth. And his long history of working with youth with the Prince’s Trust in both the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada provides him with an opportunity to address the challenges facing youth and win them over. 

It will take work and effort for him to succeed, especially with the divisions within the Royal Family -- Prince Andrew’s sexual dalliances and Prince Harry’s frontal attacks on his family, and Camila’s still controversial Queenship. 

However, the tradition of the monarchy is steeped in British and Canadian history and in the national symbols of both Canada and the UK.  It is also a major tourism draw leaving tens of millions in the British economy. These factors could well carry King Charles III towards an eventually successful reign.

Spain is a different matter.

Many Spaniards have had strong republican sentiments especially in the wake of the civil war of 1936-39 and the subsequent Franco dictatorship that lasted until 1975.

Former King Juan Carlos was instrumental in managing a successful transition to democracy. Contrary to the expectations of many, the transition was violence free and smooth. During the coup attempt of February 23, 1981, he played a central role in defending democracy and convincing the troops to return to their barracks.

During his reign, the ex-King often said that his son would have to win the monarchy given the strong historical currents of republicanism and separatism in the Catalan and Basque regions.  

However, in his later years, Juan Carlos’s womanizing and predilection for making money landed him in serious trouble. 

The monarchy's reputation was further tarnished  when, also in 2016, his youngest daughter, the Infanta Cristina, and her husband were accused in a corruption probe that triggered a flood of protests against the Casa Real.

Latest revelations have also raised suspicions that Juan Carlos himself was involved in that scandal, known as the Noos affair. He spent two years in exile in Abu Dhabi and only recently returned to Spain for a visit. He has not been tried for any crime.

Although she was acquitted in the case, the Infanta Cristina has been ostracized by her family and lives in Geneva with their four children. Her now ex-husband served a term in a Spanish prison for his role in this scandal.

"The monarchy has received a fatal blow," Jaime de Peñafiel, a royal observer, said of the latest scandal. “The king may still have illusions, but the institution does not have much time left."

So, there we have it. A tale of two monarchies, each with its own challenges.

I would like them to last because of the stability they have brought in this turbulent century. 

Indeed, a constitutional monarch represents all of the people, whereas a politician only some. A constitutional monarch means stability in a political system where governments can be toppled. And the division of the ceremonial from the governance role can allow each level to concentrate on its own particular field of expertise.

This said, constitutional monarchies cannot survive without the consent of the people. In this sense, I see the British and Canadian monarchies surviving the next generation. 

The survival of the Spanish monarchy will depend on how the younger generation perceives the relevance of republicanism to their reality and assesses if it is more in tune with their vision of Spain than is the monarchy.  

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Edition: Estefanía Cardeña