It’s a boy! Should we care?

They are about the same age — but former Premier and Commander of the British Empire Alex Scott and dry cleaning store worker Merle Ratteray have different views on the monarchy.

The two spoke to the Bermuda Sun after the birth of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby son on Tuesday — third in line to the throne and a possible future head of state for Bermuda as well as Great Britain.

Mr Scott, 72, said he “may not qualify as a loyalist or monarchist, whatever that means” and said he expected the island to be independent before the young prince, who has yet to be named, succeeds to the throne.

Ms Ratteray, 73, however, described herself as a “royal fanatic” and predicted that the new king-in-waiting would, like the anthem says “long to reign over us.”

Mr Scott said: “The monarchy is an institution that dates back a thousand years or so — it warrants consideration and respect just for longevity.

“At 73, I’ve experienced the royal family right down — I can recall the Queen being in Africa and being recalled home to take the throne on the death of her father.

“It’s following living history – that’s the significance the royal family carries for myself.

“Having had occasion to meet the Queen and go to Buckingham Palace with my wife, monarchy has touched our existence in many ways.”

Mr Scott said: “In the case of the long-standing debate over whether the monarchy will continue in Great Britain, it will be there as long as there is a Great Britain. It has economic implications as well. It’s good for business.”

 But he added that he hoped that Bermuda would be long independent by the time the latest in line was crowned.

Mr Scott said: “I would to think that Bermuda would be responsible for its own governance. But there probably will always be a connection. I don’t know that Bermuda would become a republic any time soon.”

In contrast, Ms Ratteray said she had the Duke and Duchess’ wedding photograph and a teddy bear proclaiming “it’s a boy” on display in her Coral Dry Cleaners on Victoria Street in Hamilton.

The ardent monarchist said one of her earliest memories was the Queen’s first visit to Bermuda back in 1953 when she was just a child.

And she maintained that the royals were here to stay — both in Great Britain and Bermuda.

Mr Ratteray said: “Everybody coming into the cleaners has been talking about it. Everybody’s excited here, we’re celebrating. My boss has been calling me because it’s on the Internet that they’re leaving the hospital and I don’t have it here.”

And she predicted that Bermuda would never break its constitutional ties to Britain: “Of course not. That’s why I don’t want them to go independent.

“I don’t think Bermuda will become independent — he will still be king, he will be my king. I even called England yesterday to a dry cleaner there and asked them to send me as many pictures as possible.” n