The Crown’s New linage

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32130, 28 October 1969, Page 25

The Crown’s New linage

(N.Z.P A Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 27. Britain’s Sunday newspapers have taken a searching look at the Monarchy’s new image, and have concluded that things may be going a little too far. Prince Philip’s frank comments in Canada ("If you don’t like us, let’s end it”) and the scrapping of the Queen’s Christmas broadcast to the Commonwealth, are seen by commentators as a move to modernise the Royal Family by meeting criticism head-on and by eliminating obsolete ritual. “On the evidence now available,” says the “People," “It appears that the Queen is staging nothing less than a Palace revolt against out-of-date tradition.”

The "Observer” suggests a new role for Royalty: improving race relations in Britain. Royal visits to Immigrant areas, it says, might be a i ready-made solution, and it ! suggested that the Queen might revive her Christmas ; broadcast and use it to pass - on a message of racial har- . mony. The "Sunday Telegraph” describes the Queen's decision • not to broadcast “sad and i wrong.” I “It may please the sophis- ! ticated and the trendy,” the ! newspaper says, “but only at. t the expense of disregarding, > the sentiments of the great! r majority, here and in the i Commonwealth. Be>a Queen, * ma'am, not a public relations captive.” The “News of the World" 1 also gives a warning against > allowing public relations exi perts to worry too much - about the Royal Family’s! image. It says it is disturb-1

ing that a mood of diffidence about Royalty should have crept in just when its representatives are more popular than ever. A “Sunday Express” columnist. John Gordon, suggests a substitute for the Christmas broadcast—a fireside chat between the Queen's son and daughter. Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Other observers have commented on apparent efforts to change Royal routine and give the Monarchy greater publicity. Some have attributed .the changes to Mr William Hai seitine, the soft-spoken Australian. who is now . the Queen's chief adviser on public relations.