SIR - It was informative to read in the press that the Government is already planning for what happens on the death of the Queen. There is a code word for the plans, and it seems, there will be 10 days of "official" national mourning.

Certainly, those in establishment posts may be likely to observe such a period, but will the majority of the people in the country? The Queen has lived a very long life and enjoyed privilege and luxury throughout that time. She is entitled to respect for any positive things she has achieved for the people, but 10 days of mourning harks back to the bygone eras of royal deference of long ago.

Also, rather than planning for the smooth transfer of power to her son, we would be better to signal our intention to move away from what is an archaic system and forward into the modern era, by finally closing the book on monarchy.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose