A CONTROVERSIAL historian says that Britain is in the middle of its biggest political crisis since World War Two, ahead of a visit to the city today.

David Starkey is set to visit Worcester this weekend to speak about the Royal family, which he says has historically intervened in politics at times of crisis.

However, he claims that Queen Elizabeth II’s reign has been characterised by ‘silence’ on major issues, such as Brexit, leaving some to question the purpose of the monarchy.

He said: “We are in the middle of the most serious political crisis since the Second World War. The situation [with Brexit] is so febrile and dangerous.

“I can’t think of a period when politicians have been treated with - or deserved - such contempt as at the present. Both Theresa [May] and Jeremy [Corbyn] are shatteringly incompetent.”

Mr Starkey said that the monarchy has historically played a prominent role in previous crises, such as the Great Depression in 1929.

In contrast, he argued that the Queen’s reign has been characterised by an ‘enormous silence’ during national crises.

He added that while this helps her to ‘get out of a tight corner’, it also results in people questioning the role of the monarchy.

Despite this, Mr Starkey still believes that the future of the Royal family is ‘rosy’.

His speech in Worcester tonight will focus on the various ‘misfits’ in the Royal family’s history and their controversial marriages.

Mr Starkey thinks that some of the recent hostility shown towards Meghan Markle - since the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry - has been because of her race.

However, he added that this is by no means unprecedented, citing the marriage of Edward III’s son, Edmund, to a Spanish princess, who was of mixed race, as just one example.

Mr Starkey will deliver a speech, titled A Monarchy of Misfits, in Huntingdon Hall at 7pm.

Tickets cost £17.50.

Event information says: “This talk traces the radically shifting marriage customs of the British monarchy, from the laxity of the Middle Ages, through the stringencies of the Hanoverians, to the house of Windsor and its sometimes contorted adaptations to the realities of modern family life.”

To book a place visit worcesterlive.co.uk