Letter: Passports declare divine right

Wednesday 06 November 1996 19:02 EST

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Sir: Geoffrey Perret (letter, 5 November) cites a Washington Post correspondent's assertion that the governance of Britain is based upon the divine right of kings as evidence that most Americans believe that the Queen rules Britain.

Perhaps our straight-talking transatlantic friends naively believe that the words Dieu et mon droit which adorn our courtrooms, passports, and official publications mean what they say. How silly of them. Or perhaps we are mistaken in thinking that these words are compatible with secular democracy.

PAUL HARDY

London NW4

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