What's happened
Recent books reveal the late Queen Elizabeth's private views on Brexit and Scottish independence. Boris Johnson denies she took a position on Brexit, while a new biography suggests she was a Remainer. Prince William reportedly pressured her to intervene in the 2014 Scottish referendum. These disclosures challenge the royal family's political neutrality.
What's behind the headline?
The revelations about Queen Elizabeth's private views on Brexit and Scottish independence highlight the complex relationship between the monarchy and politics. The Queen's supposed inclination towards Remain, as suggested by Low's biography, conflicts with her constitutional role of neutrality. Boris Johnson's denial that she took a position underscores the sensitivity around royal involvement in political debates. The Prince William story about pressuring the Queen to intervene in the 2014 referendum reveals ongoing tensions within the royal family about their role in political matters. These disclosures could reshape public perceptions of the monarchy's political independence, especially as King Charles III's known environmental and political views continue to attract attention. The stories also underscore the importance of royal privacy and the potential impact of revealing private opinions on the monarchy's reputation. Overall, these revelations will likely fuel debates about the monarchy's role in political discourse and its influence on public opinion, especially in a polarized political climate.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports Boris Johnson's denial that the late Queen Elizabeth took a position on Brexit, emphasizing her constitutional neutrality and her private disapproval of Brussels bureaucracy. The same publication details Prince William's alleged pressure on the Queen to intervene in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, with Nicola Sturgeon criticizing William's disingenuousness. The Independent highlights the Queen's private remark before the Brexit vote, suggesting she preferred to stay in the EU, and discusses the controversy over a 2011 lunch where she reportedly expressed confusion about Europe. These contrasting accounts reveal the tension between royal privacy and political perception, with some sources emphasizing her neutrality and others suggesting her private leanings. The stories are part of a broader narrative about the monarchy's subtle influence and the ongoing debate about their political role.
How we got here
The stories stem from recent biographies and claims about the Queen's private opinions. Valentine Low's books and other sources reveal her perceived stance on Brexit and Scottish independence, which contrasts with her public neutrality. The royal family traditionally avoids political involvement, making these revelations significant in understanding their private views versus public image.
Go deeper
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Elizabeth II is the queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. She was born in London as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and she was educated privately at home.