Almost half of the respondents to a survey put out by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir have said that King Albert II should resign as sovereign. This is above all because the political crisis in Belgium has abated and because it’s become trendy to step down in today’s world, Le Soir (March 13) writes:
“These ‘uninhibited’ figures are clearly influenced by two factors: firstly, the current peace between the north and the south of our country means that Belgians aren’t menaced – at least not acutely – by a north-south divide, and that our country is not now in the 500th day of a political crisis. Secondly, in view of the recent resignations of Benedict XVI and Queen Beatrix, which were interpreted by the Church, the Vatican and by our Dutch neighbours as signs of modernity – even as non-traumatic, not to say joyful events – the resignation option is no longer considered as drastic by people here at home.”
It’s tough enough being Royal: that is God’s representative of a particular people or nation. However, when a “survey” questions that divine order, it all smacks of democracy. We are not amused!
“The King has quit, God save the King!” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “The King is dead, God save the King!”.
One thing all kings and pawns share is, of course, the chessboard.