World: Princely Philippic

The name of the game is constitutional monarchy. By its unwritten rules, Britain's sovereign loyally refrains from controversial statements, especially when dealing with her outer domains, for whom she is the symbol of unity with Britain itself. Not so confined is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who regularly sparks debates over the nation's "cuppas" by his talent for what he calls dontopedalogy—opening his mouth and putting his foot in it. Last week Philip kicked up a storm in kingdom and Commonwealth as well.

Discussing Commonwealth relations with 300 students at the University of Edinburgh, Philip announced that he was going to say...

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