Magazine attacks British monarchy

The article calls the Crown "too large" for the realm

One of Germany's most respected magazines has attacked the legitimacy and luxury of the British throne.

Weekly magazine Der Spiegel dubbed Queen Elizabeth II as "the Last Queen" in a front cover article.

It described her as "a nondescript little housewife of 76 years" whose "crown is too large for her realm, which has shrunk to the size of an average European state".

The article is scathing of the Duke of Edinburgh

The article "Great Britain celebrates its fading monarchy", was written by Michael Sontheimer and Hans Hoyng for the issue of 27 May as part of a series looking at monarchies around the world.

Despite describing the Queen as someone "who likes wearing comfortably frumpy coats and outfits", the magazine concedes that she has "earned plenty of respect."

The article reserves the bulk of its ire for what it views as the anachronisms of the crown itself.

Her royal visits now are but a "faint reminder of times of imperial greatness, when the monarchs of the British Empire bore the title of Emperor of India".

The British Royal Family is, the article charges, the only one on Europe that "allows itself the feudal style that has cost dozens of its European counterparts their thrones.

The article scoffs at the Royal Family's love of horses

"Permanently surrounded by lackeys and courtiers, they hunt on horseback, travel by royal train and live in six official and eight private residences," it said.

The article is scathing of the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen's successors.

It describes the Duke as "an unemployed, short-tempered blueblood", whose "dislike of proximity to the people is written all over his face".

"Her direct successors lack both magic and affection.

"That is why it is doubtful that the monarchy will survive when Elizabeth II takes her leave."