“End Royal Secrecy” is the banner that two members of the campaign group Republic, which advocates for an elected head of state, unfurled in front of the Round Tower, which houses the Royal Archives.
In front of the Royal Archives at Windsor’s Round Tower, two Republic members brandished banners that said “End Royal Secrecy” while donning black bandit eye masks and crowns.
The group’s position is that a “accountable, transparent, elected head of state” should replace the monarchy.
The Royal Family has come under fire from activists for being “very secretive” and “persuading the government to exempt the monarchy from Freedom of Information laws”.
The exemption means that “royals can hide official records and evidence of lobbying from the general public” , the Republic stated, adding that “Historic archives going back decades remain under lock and key, while the royals refuse to publish their wills.”
Graham Smith, the CEO of Republic, stated on Thursday that “Windsor Castle is the epicentre of royal secrecy. This is the location of the Royal Archives’ concealed location. We have protested here today for that reason.” Mr. Smith also took issue with how senior royals’ wills are kept secret and out of the public eye. For over a hundred years, it has been customary to apply to the president of the Family Division of the High Court for the sealing of a senior family member’s will.
Mr Smith added: “The royals keep their wills hidden for decades after one of them dies – while everyone else’s is made public.
“They lobby politicians and government officials, and voters have no idea what they’re saying or the impact it has.”
“Experience tells us the royals will fight to protect their secrets at all costs. They know that their archives and correspondence will shock the public.”
The Royal Archives, which were founded in 1914, are a singular repository of records pertaining to the last 250 years of British monarchy history. The Keeper of the King’s Archives is the only person who may provide access. The personal and official communication of the monarchs from George III’s reign (1760–1820), including diaries and private letters, is preserved in the Archives.
In January of this year, YouGov conducted a poll of 2,089 people, and found that 45% of them supported monarchies, 31% preferred elected heads of state, and 24% claimed they didn’t know. According to Republic, the findings indicated that “the monarchy no longer commands the support of the British people.”
What do you think, do you agree with the monarchy or Republic? Answer in the comments below.
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By Ieuan Yr9
Carres Grammar School, Sleaford