This is a time of National Crisis.

If you’re going to try to make an rational argument for having a symbolic head of states – someone who’s role it is to lift moral, to inspire and set an example – then a crisis like covid is time for them to SHOW THEIR WORTH.

Yet the Windsor family have been as much use as an inflatable dart board.

In early March, at the very moment the public needed to begin to take the threat seriously, Prince William “joked” about it being over hyped by the media.

Did he not get his brief ? Was he too lazy to read it ? Was he badly advised? You might think, it was just an off the cuff comment – but his job is to make sure that he doesn’t say anything dumb at vital moments. And he failed.

[ UPDATE: In fact, as events turned out, it is possible that Prince William WAS actually spreading Coronavirus at this very moment, as a matter of weeks later he was diagnosed with Covid. Which, in a staggering display of contempt for other people – whom he may have encountered – he kept secret. So much for role model. ]

3 weeks later, Prince Charles did set an example. Despite feeling the first symptoms, ignoring Government guidelines, and the First ministers declaration that ‘Scotland was shut to tourists’ – Prince Charles swanned into Balmoral, and promptly declared he had Covid. He brought his entourage with him.

At a time when doctors couldn’t get tested, both Prince Charles and Camilla were immediately tested (by the NHS, maybe the first time the Prince has deigned to accept non-private treatment). Despite him declaring he had only mild symptoms.

The queen bolted straight into the first Rolls Royce departing London, and largely disappeared from view, until she popped up in a palace, and delivered a bland speech in a bland fashion, where sycophantic reporters declared “I defy anyone not to have a lump in their throat”. Lets be honest, it was pedestrian at best. Citing Vera Lynn and comparing the situation to the war is Paint By Numbers right wing crying boy.

She didn’t clap for carers. Presumably that was considered too far.

A recovering Prince Charles and Camilla showed themselves awkward and unable to master the basic skill of clapping for ordinary people.

Since then Das Windsors have continued to show their lack of impact. William and Kate fwah fwahing to people in care homes looks tokenistic. Harry and Megz letting out a long bleating book isn’t a good look. Prince Andrew, however, is probably pleased at the distraction.

The point is, This Should Be Their Moment – where they’re able to show sympathy for those who’ve lost loved ones, and try to inspire the rest of the country to unite and care for one another. This should be the moment it’s difficult to make and argument against the monarchy.

Ha. They’re useless. Pull them out of their posh palaces, and make them clean hospitals.

Fight viruses. Get rid of parasites. Build back better.