Britain routinely invents authentically antique-effect royal traditions

Genuinely old: In the bowels of the 16th century Hampton Palace. Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash

On September 12, Britain’s new king, Charles III, addressed parliament in London after listening to messages of condolences from the leaders of the House of Commons and Lords. He spoke in Westminster Hall, the oldest building on the parliamentary estate, which is said to have been the venue for key historical events since the 11th century.

King Charles described parliament as a “living and breathing instrument of our democracy” and once again, vowed to continue his mother’s example of selfless public service.

The British have a unique talent for what might be called authentic fakes, ie antique-effect, newly-minted hoary traditions

The impression was of an event dating back hundreds of years. Even if not as far back as the 13th century Magna Carta, which limited the monarch’s power, surely every new British sovereign had visited parliament, after the 1688 Bill of Rights set clear boundaries du…