UNFORTUNATELY, much as many people would like it to be so, the present crisis afflicting the British Royal Family (they prefer capitals) does not herald the end of the British monarchy.

Nevertheless, it’s a big ratchet downwards.

The present investigations, inquiries and potential criminal charges will drag on for months, generating headlines, more revelations and questions.

As more documents, some over 25 years old, are released, they will reveal a lot about who knew what, when, and who knows what else.

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It’s a crisis for the Royal Family as distinct from the monarchy.

The modern concept of ‘the Royal Family’ was devised and promoted by the late British queen from 1969. It was first publicised in a BBC documentary of that year.

Walter Bagehot, writing in the 19th century about the British monarchy, said: “Its mystery is its life. We must not let in daylight upon magic.”

The 1969 documentary broke that maxim. On reflection, the queen deemed the programme had gone too far, let in too much light, exposed the family as rather too mundane. She had it banned. Only clips have been shown since.

However, Queen Elizabeth carried on with the Royal Family concept, extending the role of monarchy beyond........

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