SIR - Mr Hornsby regularly takes the opportunity to advocate the abolition of the Monarchy which he considers unsuitable for modern society ( T&A letters, July 4). Mr Hornsby, no doubt, would prefer that the head of state should be elected by the people and who should therefore not enjoy advantages borne of privilege.

The advantage of a hereditary head of state is that the monarch stands above the machinations of party politics, maintains long standing traditions and confers constitutional stability. Respecting the institution of the monarchy does not necessarily confer support for a particular royal family; over the centuries we have had many families, Normans, Plantagenets, Tutors, Stuarts. It could be argued that, for example, the recent royal wedding showed that many people maintain quite a sycophantic attitude towards the Royal family, but are not really aware of the important constitutional role that the monarchy plays.

Egalitarians seek to provide "Equal Opportunity" and are outraged when this does not cause an equality of outcomes. Should the head of state be elected, the person would almost certainly be from the world of politics, as they would require the support of party machinery. The ordinary person would not succeed in this endeavour.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Bradford