World press questions UK monarchy

The British media is questioning the monarchy's future

LONDON, England -- Indiscreet remarks by the Countess of Wessex have reignited media debate the world over over the future of the British monarchy.

"Off with her head," declared the UK's Mirror tabloid of the Queen's daughter-in-law over her comments about British politicians and the royal family to a Sunday newspaper reporter disguised as an Arab sheikh.

The paper was forthright about the need to reform the royal family and its public funding: "We don't need these pipsqueak royals. Let alone their wives."

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The widely reported quotes of the countess saying her royal status provided "unspoken benefits" to those who employed her public relations company, have rocked Buckingham Palace just as it was recovering from the scandal-plagued 1990s.

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The international media also joined in the debate with the New York Daily News saying the wife of Prince Edward had "given her country a new definition of foot-in-mouth disease."

"London, Sophie in crisis," declared La Repubblica in Italy. "Sophie shocks Great Britain," said the German Die Welt and "Sophie: Uncensored," said The Herald Tribune.

Many focused on supposed similarities to the late Princess of Wales: "Deja vu: Another Royal Bride turns headache" declared the Asian Age, "In the headlines, like Diana"... La Repubblica.

On the other side of the world, New Zealand -- which still has the British Queen as the head of state -- fretted over the fate of Buckingham Palace spin doctor Simon Walker.

The New Zealand Herald said Walker was a 'likely scapegoat' over the media debacle, pointing out that he was no stranger to controversy, involved in "testy" exchanges with former prime minister Robert Muldoon when a journalist there.

The "Sophie Tapes" go global

The Sydney Morning Herald said: "The serious indiscretion has driven a wedge between Buckingham Palace and the Government."

The Johannesburg Independent also examined the effect the Countess' comments had on the monarchy.

"The Sophiegate affair gave ammunition to republicans, who said it tarnished the image of the monarchy and highlighted the problems the royals had in finding a role in modern Britain."

Back in the UK the heavyweight Times -- often seen as the voice of the establishment -- said that a "more formal approach" was needed to prevent conflicts of interest between commercial affairs and Royal privileges.

The Guardian, a paper which has often queried the relevance of the monarchy, was blunt.

"Sophie Rhys-Jones has discovered what many others have learned: That marrying into -- or even coming into contact with -- the royal family has a toxic effect on personal lives."

It said roles needed to be carefully delineated.

"Now she is stepping down as chairman of her company Ms Rhys-Jones should find plenty of uses for her PR skills in places such as the British Council or the NHS.

"Alternatively, she could drop her titles, the civil list payments and the Bagshot mansion and make it on her own two feet."

The Telegraph said media jobs were incompatible with Royal life, pointing out: "The sad truth is that none of this would have happened if Prince Edward had pursued the conventional career in the Royal Marines from which he boldly broke away."

New rules for UK career royals
April 9, 2001
Blair plays down Sophie affair
April 9, 2001

Guardian Unlimited
The Times
News of the World
The Sun
The Mirror
International Herald Tribune
La Repubblica
Die Welt

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