Sir, Philip Collins (Opinion, June 1) underestimates the value of the monarchy. The monarchical system provides the nation with a head of state respected by people of all backgrounds. A monarch is far more internationally recognised than most elected presidents. That the army, the judiciary, the police and the Civil Service swear their allegiance to the monarch and not the Government minimises political interference in these institutions.
The monarch is at the heart of the Commonwealth. The monarchy acts as a golden thread coursing through the rich tapestry of our shared history. As we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, we should take the opportunity to acknowledge the importance of the monarchy itself.
R. P. Fernando
Epsom, Surrey