While I’ve looked at the issue of the monarchy (and how it may or may not fit an independent Welsh constitution) in 2020 – perhaps relevant given recent polling – there’s also the hangers-on to deal with and the pomp and ceremony attached to them.
This is a re-write of a piece from 2015. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, this week of all weeks seemed to be the best time to revisit the remnants of the feudal system, the landed classes and various tiers of hat worship.
Commonwealth Realms (which is what Wales would become post-independence if we retained the monarachy) often have a Governor-general; an appointed viceroy who represents the monarch on matters of state and carries out ceremonial duties in their place.
Given that most Commonwealth Realms are on the other side of the planet from Windsor Castle, it’s a practical means for the monarch to remain present without actually being there in person.
Wales would be a peculiarity because we share a land border with the home state of the monarch (and would be in personal union). Considering Cardiff is only two hours from London it’s reasonable to expect the constitutional role of the monarch (if retained) to continue to be carried out by them in person.
There is precedence though. Pre-1922 Ireland had a viceregal Lord Lieutenant, which became a Governor-general until the creation of the Republic of Ireland in 1936. This is despite Ireland being right next to Great Britain.
A Governor-general would be a “soft Welsh monarchy”. Most of the day-to-day functions of the Head of State would be carried out by the Governor-general, who would be Welsh, could come from any background and would presumably go through a selection process for the office before being appointed.
To make the process more democratic, the Governor-general could be shortlisted by, nominated by and recommended to the monarch by the Senedd.
They could also be term-limited (for argument’s sake, a single term of 7 years) and it could be a requirement for a proceeding Governor-general to be the opposite gender of the sitting one.
Of course, if Wales became a republic or chose our head of state in some other way, then none of this would be relevant and we wouldn’t need a Governor-general.
