What to expect of a modern monarchy | Letters

Robert Hazell and Bob Morris think the statutory oaths that the new sovereign will have to make need to be revised and updated. Plus letters from Mark Flinn and Peggy Thomas

As your leader argues (27 December), the platinum jubilee will not only celebrate the Queen's long reign but also start to raise questions about the next one.

After accession, the new sovereign has to make three statutory oaths: to be a true and faithful Protestant; to uphold the Church of Scotland; and to uphold the rights and privileges of the Church of England. In our more secular and pluralist society, these oaths need to be revised and updated. But revision would require fresh legislation, which needs to be passed during the present reign to be in time for the next accession.