IT is interesting to see the way Aled Jones’ uses his skewed vision of history to support his republican views (HAS, Feb 18).

He blames the Royal Family for the decline of Britain.

He omits to mention the effects of two world wars, the independence of countries that once made up a great Empire, economic woes caused by a multitude of reasons and the negative effects of some of our governments. In fact, as the monarch is merely a figurehead, the Royal Family has very little influence upon the way Britain is viewed by the rest of the world.

Governments, political parties and their policies, on the other hand, have great effects upon Britain.

The Royal Family brings in large amounts of money through tourism and by travelling to state occasions around the world in order to drum up business.

I, for one, would rather have her majesty Queen Elizabeth than President Blair, Brown, Cameron or Miliband any day.

With the very able Charles to follow, and then Kate and William, the Royal Family is in good hands.

John Redman, Spennymoor.