Letter: Advice on the future of the Queen

Sir: In the days of good Queen Anne, to whom Matthew Symonds refers, taxation was still imposed on behalf of the Crown, as the monarch conducted government personally. We need to look more deeply into the motives which may lie behind the financial harassment of our present Queen, at her age and in the 40th year of her reign, when it has always been well known that Her Majesty did not pay income tax, and the wish to deprive her of the help of relatives (in general highly respectable) in fulfilling public engagements. Can we really wonder that prayers for monarchs have not necessarily ensured their long life?

Yours faithfully,

JENNIFER MILLER

London, SW15

10 September