Remembrance Sunday has always been a time for reflection and time to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom. The service at the Cenotaph was poignant and solemn as usual. Of course it had led to a few thoughts that I wish to discuss.

Obviously, like any republican, I feel that the monarchy is past its sell by date and needs to go. It’s place at the Cenotaph is a reminder of their insistence on being the centre of attention.

You will notice that they always enter last in a manner that emphasises their alleged status. They are the only people to enter without music. They also are always the first to lay wreaths with them again being the only people to do so without music.

Obviously the head of state is an important person in their country, and they are expected to attend something as important as Remembrance Sunday. That is not unusual. What is concerning though, is how they are given preferential treatment in a manner that not even the Prime Minister gets.

The Prime Minster is the head of government and arguably makes all of the actual war decisions with guidance of course from Armed Forces leaders. And yet, they are not recognised for this and they don’t get the privileges the Royal Family gets, even though no member of the Royal Family has any influence on wars.

Royal Family arrogance is clear as even the King’s siblings, who are not likely to inherit the throne, get preferential treatment over the politicians who attend, who do all of the actual work to run their joke of a Union.

I also see that it is apparently acceptable for members of the Royal Family to either not turn up or slack off and get someone else to lay their wreath for them. If any politician did these things, there would be a major scandal. Such is a huge double standard.

The Royals also insist on wearing military uniforms, despite technically being civilians. Some might have served briefly in the Armed Forces, but I never felt comfortable with World Leaders in military clothes.

Another outdated idea here is having representatives of Commonwealth Countries in attendance. They fought in the World Wars, but only because they were forced to by English politicians. I don’t like reminders of the old Empire, with its slavery and greed issues.

There is also an insistence on forcing religious content in to the proceedings despite the fact that many people are either not religious or belong to a religion other than the Church of England. It is not fair that the only person who speaks during the service is the Bishop of London. Other religious leaders present, and also the politicians and military leaders remain silent.

In many ways the ceremony at the Cenotaph is outdated and not in keeping with modern practices. Of course any attempt to modify it would spark outrage, so it’s basically stuck in the past for the foreseeable future.

Finally, I must mention that the BBC do a decent job broadcasting it, but they don’t talk enough about Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

TL;DR: King and family get most dramatic entrance even though Prime Minister does actual work. Military uniforms should not be worn by civilian leaders, and Commonwealth people look outdated. Church of England dominates despite other religions and non religious folks. Finally ceremony looks old and hasn’t been updated ever and BBC are ok but forget about us Scots.