#188 Seek Not To Alter Me

<strong><em>Programming Note: We will be on a short ‘writing’ break. Normal service will resume from Oct 29.</em></strong><br/><br/><strong>Global Policy Watch: When Traditional Institutions Work  </strong><br/><br/><em>Insights on topical policy issues in India </em><br/><br/><em>— RSJ</em><br/><br/>King Charles III was coronated last week. I saw the pictures of the event, and if you did not know the history of the British monarchy, the whole thing looked like a Monty Python sketch on a Nolan-esque budget. The King wore a costume that might have appeared outdated even in the 12th century when the Westminster Hall was built. The political class in their finery bowed, the aristocracy in splendid robes kept a stiff upper lip, the media continually upped the circus quotient for public consumption, and the Yeomen of the Guard marched in precise steps while some grand music (Handel?) played on. It was all pomp and circumstance (Elgar would have approved).<br/>I watched this with mild bemusement. I mean, here’s King Charles III, a man who is reputed to speak to his plants, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/a24480919/prince-charles-royal-demands/">iron his shoelaces</a>, show strange <a target="_blank" href="https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a25091073/prince-william-prince-charles-red-squirrels-birkhall/">interest in red squirrels </a>and, who often, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/mar/16/prince-charles-global-warming-detox">rails against scientific revolution </a>and the modern economy. What a strange man to ascend the throne of a nation vastly different from him. He must have found the quaintness of the pageantry to his taste. On the other hand, I’m sure he would have some time during the ceremony contemplated the history of the other Charles (Charlies?), who might have ascended the throne with similar accompanying pageantry.<br/><br/>Charles I was beheaded for treason by the parliament led by Oliver Cromwell at Whitehall, not