European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 1, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Fir tons Are song patience with their Royalty including the separated Diana and Prince Charles above. Queen Elizabeth it and husband Prince Philip walk through a Clearing lined with throngs of guests at a Garden party right. National geographic old monarchies in trouble worldwide by Donald National geographic country s old Crown and giving it to the 80-year-old great grandson of the last emperor. Aul Larkin of Boston dropped by the Queen s birthday Parade in London hoping to add a spot of pageantry to his tour of _ Britain. Perhaps he would even catch a Distant glimpse of a Royal. A suddenly there was her majesty herself. Quot we just wanted to see the Queen and she was right there in front of us Quot the 32-year-old financial manager says. Larkin and other awestruck tourists at this year s 67th birthday festivity for Queen Elizabeth ii weren t Likely to notice that the Celebration was considerably scaled Back from its usual level of grandiosity a a symptom of lean times for most of the world s 27 remaining monarchies. I this Case it was simply a matter of dwindling manpower. Reduced British troop strength has severely shrunk the Pool of troopers used for ceremonial occasions most noticeably musicians and the Queen s household cavalry. But the venerable institution of Monarch Al government faces far More serious problems than understaffed _ parades. Quot Western european royalties Don t have much of a Long term future Quot says Stephen Haseler a professor at London Guild Hall University. Quot it s a Feudal institution i and people Are increasingly wanting a Mare democratic head of state. Most Young people find Royalty an old fashioned link to past empires and in a Book the end of the House of Windsor Haseler argues that Royalty is an extreme expression erf nationalism and that nationalism May be on its Way out As the world moves toward regional economic alliances such As the european Community. Recent stirrings of Monarch Al sentiments in such newly non communist states As Romania a where citizens debate restoring the old Royal family to Power a Are Only exceptions that prove the Rule Haseler says. Quot the Post communist world is seeing a revival of nationalism in Eastern Europe but when they think about it i Don t think they la want to live with a hard times in South America led to Calls for restoring a monarchy. Brazilians recently considered dusting off their but in april almost seven in 10 voters chose the risk of More instability rather than bringing Back Royalty in their rebellion scarred . The monarchies that do remain Are hot nearly As grand As they once were. In Western Europe trappings of rank and privilege that once surrounded Royal families of Spain Belgium Denmark Norway the Netherlands and Sweden have been systematically stripped away by government Economy drives a or voluntarily by the royals themselves. Though All still live to great Comfort most european royals have unpretentious lifestyles that Are Mere shadows of the ones their ancestors enjoyed. Many drive their own cars. Spain s King Juan Carlos rides his Motorbike in Public. Dutch Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Arm Gardand her German born Consort Claus von Amsberg have become known As the bicycling royals. Norodom Sihanouk during the september ceremony that returned him to the cambodian throne.1 even in Asia where respect for Royalty tends to be As ingrained As respect for elders monarchies Are under pressure to tighten their Royal belts. In 1989 Many japanese debated whether the state should pay for shinto rites surrounding emperor Akihito s ascension to the throne. The restoration of Norodom Sihanouk to the throne of Cambodia in september was More a matter of the 70-year-old popularity than a desire of cambodians to bring Back an archaic expensive system of government. A another asian King hum Biol Adulya Dej of Thailand has endeared himself to his subjects by tirelessly promoting Rural development projects travelling across the land and often becoming personally involved in irrigation arid other water projects. A former engineering student educated in Switzerland the thai King is a jazz musician. He had jammed with the late Benny Goodman and has written More than 30 tunes including one for a Broadway musical peepshow. Earlier this year the nine hereditary rulers of Malaysia who take turns serving As Paramount ruler agreed under political pressure to constitutional amendments that would sharply limit their Legal immunity from some crimes including assault and no pay me . The action resulted from a Public outcry Over the erratic behaviour of 60-year-old Sultan Mahmood Iskandar Ismail. The ruler of Johore state and his son have been accused of numerous rapes and beatings of commoners Sultan hair Hassanat Bol Kiah of Brunei a tiny sultanate surrounded by Malaysia has dropped his Playboy image As the world s richest Man in an apparent attempt to become a More responsible Model of a modern Muslim c East Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Aber Al �13 Emir of Kuwait provoked an outburst of popular resentment when he and other royals resumed their lavish ways after the 1991 persian Gulf War debilitated his country in Bhutan a Small Himalayan country that nestles waw0 an Candia a Kin amp Jigme single Van Chuck recently set an example of austerity by 24 the stars and stripes wednesday december 1, 19
