In this week when the American Congress has considered the phenomenon of UFOs (there are more and more of them), I have the impression that it is in Canada that one has happened. We could perhaps speak of a royal object whose relevance to the trip is unidentified.

I compare the visit of Prince Charles to the passage of a UFO: people look, then people look at each other with a questioning look. What ? Why ? Doubtful or questioning, amused or jaded eyes.

In my daily LCN segment, Philippe Vincent-Foisy had the most disarming response when I asked him for an appreciation of Charles and Camilla's visit: "They have great weather!" It's a response that reflects the general feeling.

usefulness

They don't do anything wrong. The British crown undeniably has a role inscribed in our history. Prince Charles will discuss Indigenous affairs and climate change. These are topics that are very much on the agenda in 2022. Who can be offended that another person talks about them? A prince in addition!

They do nothing wrong, but one wonders what exactly they are doing in Canada. Small crowds join them on their way. Admirers of the monarchy, others who enjoy meeting in person characters so often seen on TV. I have not heard a single person who said they came thinking that Prince Charles was coming to play a key role in climate change.

And since the monarchy is based on an archaic concept of royal blood, incompatible with our conception of democracy, our interest is based solely on the attachment to personalities. As for me, Queen Elizabeth II remains a model of constancy and dignity that arouses admiration. But Prince Charles...

Heavy to change

I confess, I am in the club of lazy people who get dizzy imagining the mess that would follow the decision to evade the monarchy. Change of political regime... do you want long and heartbreaking debates?

Each professor of political science will have his model. A republic? A president ? Are we taking the opportunity to change the electoral mode? Revise the Constitution? Then each province must agree. Otherwise we hold a referendum? 99% chance it won't. In this case, do we repeat the whole process?

I talk about it and it pisses me off. There is enough to exhaust a whole generation and lose years. We must nevertheless be aware that when the complexity of the replacement has become the big reason for keeping the monarchy, it hangs by a thread.

All this to say that given the complexity of organization and security costs (which we assume), the royal family should not hesitate to space out such trips. The usefulness and meaning are too tenuous to justify the effort.