NEWS that the Queen is to give financial 'compensation' to her son Edward and his wife Sophie in return for them quitting their jobs and supporting her during the Jubilee year has resurrected questions about the role of Royals in this day and age.

Celebrations to mark the four-day Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend from June 1-4 are unlikely to match those of the Silver Jubilee of 1977. Many citizens say they are more interested in the World Cup, which is taking place at the same time, or simply having a break.

ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, says up to three million Brits intend to go on holiday during Jubilee week. So is the monarchy losing its appeal? Will it survive another 50 years? And how will you mark the Jubilee? Here's the view of some of our readers' panel, but please tell us what you think.

Rachael Nicholas, 22, is a bike instructor and runs her own company, Motorcycle Training, in York.

"I think it has passed its sell-by date, I can't see it going on for another 50 years, as time goes on, it is becoming less and less popular. Nobody my age is interested. If I was employed by somebody else, I'd love to have two days off work... but I wouldn't be celebrating the Jubilee. But it's just two days where I have to pay my staff to have an extra holiday. I don't think people will be celebrating. More people will be interested in the World Cup and I wouldn't be surprised if people went away on holiday."

Dorothy Dawson, 62, of York, is chairman of the York Conservative Supper Club.

"I am a monarchist and my question would be if you did away with the monarchy, what would you replace it with? It would probably be a politician - like a President - and there would be a lot of bad feeling about that. We never get sick of the Queen but we do get sick of politicians. I think the Queen has done an excellent job but I think she should pass the throne straight to William. I think a certain proportion of British people have not forgiven Charles over Diana: he was older than her and should have set an example. I don't know if people would accept his girlfriend as Queen."

Postbag

Bryan Lawson, of Stamford Bridge, who criticised The Thing Is for having an all-female readers' panel, writes:

Thank you for allowing me to air my views in your excellent column The Thing Is... If invited, I would be happy to take part from time to time and must confirm that I am not a 'male-only brigade'.

Women now play an important part in the fabric of our society and indeed one of the finest Prime Ministers during the past century was Margaret Thatcher (like her policies or not) and she was one of the best ambassadors we ever had.

We welcome the views of our male and female readers alike, please send your opinions on our topic of the week to the address on the right.

Royal recollections

Are you a staunch royalist? Have you never missed a visit by the Queen to North Yorkshire? Were you introduced to Her Majesty while she was here? We are preparing supplements to mark the Golden Jubilee, and would love to hear from anyone with memories of the Queen. Please contact Chris Titley at the Evening Press on (01904) 653051 ext 337, e-mail him at chris.titley@ycp.co.uk or write to Chris Titley, Jubilee Memories, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

Updated: 09:08 Tuesday, March 05, 2002