Just Saying | Megxit schmexit – there’s no bigger waste of time, space and money than the UK’s royal family

I recently found the time to watch The King on Netflix and loved it, finding it to be a cut above previous big-screen adaptations of the story of Henry V, one of England’s greatest monarchs.

It’s an engaging biopic loosely based on William Shakespeare’s series of plays known as the Henriad, starring the young royal who started as something of a juvenile delinquent, “an assiduous cultivator of lasciviousness” as one historical description goes, and went on to become a heroic warrior king.

Of course, this is modern-day cinema, and artistic licence takes its usual toll on historical accuracy. But the movie does make you think about the nature of kingship in the context of both hereditary monarchy and divine-right theory.

Beyond that, it’s also a reminder that kings in those days must have been the real deal – giants among men who led armies into battle and inspired awe as protectors of the realm. Unlike the sad-sack inheritors of the current British throne who regularly embarrass their country with their ignoble antics and cringe-inducing faux pas.

Probably the most disgraceful episode in the recent history of this House of Windsor has to be the downfall of Prince Andrew, who is accused of rape and abuse by a teenage victim of his good pal, the late American financier and pervert Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has retired from his “royal duties”, whatever they might be for someone who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and hasn’t had to do an honest day’s work, but many are questioning why he should enjoy immunity from investigation.

Now we have this whole kerfuffle over “Megxit” – the withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their “senior royal duties”, whatever they may be, apart from cutting ribbons at department store openings and visiting charities for appearances that end up costing more than the donations they raise.

To listen to the hysterical chatter in Britain, you would think a calamity has befallen the country, when it’s just a conniption over a privileged young couple escaping the fetters of stuffy palace life while still holding on to lifelong perks such as the “royal” title that reserves their right to be bowed to and fawned upon at cocktail parties.