‘The monarchy rests upon numerous historical injustices and the suffering of millions’

• NEXT weekend, courtesy of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, many will celebrate.

Of course, many celebrate regardless of the celebratory cause. Others will genuinely celebrate the monarchy and Queen Elizabeth’s longevity. Many others will not be celebrating, even if wanting so to do.

They will be juggling poorly-paid jobs to make ends meet, queueing at food banks, with children hungry at home, or in despair, lonely and in pain, suffering long waiting lists for medical treatment.

Some of us, out of choice, most definitely will not be celebrating. The monarchy rests upon numerous historical injustices and the suffering of millions.

The Queen, through sheer luck, wallows in wealth, privileges and others’ kowtowing. She happily mingles with corrupt businesses, ruthless Middle Eastern despots, racehorses and corgis (I condemn not the racehorses, unsure about corgis).

As for the “hard work” of royal duties, that is nothing compared with working as a nurse, street cleaner, care assistant, on a building site; the list could go on.

Now even the most well-meaning of us benefit from injustices; we compromise, frequently choosing luxuries for ourselves over necessities for others.

“If the totality of those who people the Earth were present to everyone,” wrote Simone de Beauvoir, “the air would become unbreathable”.

There are, though, times when we should try to breathe the unbreathable and not turn away from the poverty and pain around us.

Is it not indecent to be spending so much on celebrating what ought not to be celebrated instead of directing that spend at helping those in need who desperately need the helping?

PETER CAVE, W1