Sir – Many people have enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Children will remember it all their lives, as I remember the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

However, we should not fail to recognise that our British monarchy is mainly sustained by a sentimental attachment to the present Queen and the ceremonial of an Imperial past.

Does that matter? Yes. Even a benign constitutional monarchy is inescapably undemocratic. Sentiment hinders a forward-looking search for Britain’s best position in a changing world. Royal celebrity leads too many people to give scant thought to the merits of a republic or even to alternative models of constitutional monarchy less costly than ‘The Firm’.

The merits of a republic? Begin with the abolition of royalty and aristocracy: goodbye to the remnants of feudal subjection and much unearned privilege. Egalitarianism should give the nation cause to hold heads higher, complain less, riot less.

Non-party-political, accountable Presidents, like the Governors General of Commonwealth countries, could better represent our hopes and aspirations, provide real leadership, and be more willing to stop politicians exceeding their powers. Such Presidents could be found.

And we could devote millions of pounds of savings to more worthwhile purposes. How’s that for starters?

Think about it. While you are doing so, I’ll wish our dutiful Queen what I would wish anyone: good health and happiness during the remaining years of her life. No more, no less.

Geoff Feasey, North Leigh