"find a more convincing argument about why our Royal Family should not command our respect?"
Command respect for simply being the royal family?
My amusement is with the concept of having a king/queen, not so much the characters involved. Its my understanding that Andy flew his helo in some sort of picket duty in the Malvinas, looking to soak up an exocet before it hit the ship. Big balls. No bigger however than any other chap from a working class family. Respect is earned, not given simply because of birthright
"all of whom, apart from Prince Edward, have genuine, decorated military experience"
Is that factually correct? What about the lads?
"they will assume - correctly for all but the US - that the individual concerned is a highly-experienced"
Can't speak for the other services, but I'd love to see someone tell a Marine Corps Gunner (combat arms CWO) that.
"He can make as many airmen salute him as he wants, but he probably won't earn one iota of respect for it"
Sort of my point about the royal family.