I’m suddenly reminded of The Republic by Plato, and his idea that the ideal ruler would be a “philosopher king”, who would hate falsehood, be courageous, athletic, and knowledgeable (he very specifically mentions education in mathematics), and who would have to be forced into the position of ruler because they would be reluctant to do anything other than seek new understanding and wisdom.

Nice Art

@Enmity1498
We never DID learn how long it’s been since Gen 4. Or where the Alicorns went (aside from Sunny referring to Twilight and co. living in “ancient times”, which could imply thousands of years, with Gen 4’s Equestria being their equivalent of Ancient Rome!)

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut if in Gen 4 pre-unification times, Unicorns had their unicorn royalty, I don’t see why the pegasi couldn’t have organised their own kingdom with its own royalty. ESPECIALLY if thousands of years have passed.

Heck, it is entirely possible that the magic didn’t turn off immediately, leading to some pegasi that could fly and others that couldn’t. Over time the remaining fliers would have organised into a higher caste of society, forming an aristocracy, and from that, the organisation of a monarchy is the next logical step. Then, as even the aristocrats lost their flight ability, the whole ‘pretend we fly by using Wuxia special effects’ thing was invented, and kept as a deep secret that only a select few were allowed to know, so that the upper class could remain the upper class.

Of course, this leads us to what might happen to the three separate pony tribes in Gen 5’s time. Would they want to form a unified kingdom again? Where are the alicorns? Would the alicorns take power? If Sunny remains an Alicorn, would they make her the new ruler? I doubt the show will go there and deal with like, them making political alliances or whatever. But it’s good fanfiction fodder.

@Enmity1498
Princess Platinum: “Am I a joke to you?”

I still legit don’t think the Pegasi can truly be considered royalty, due to them not being Alicorns. Nonetheless, in the case that they are considered royalty, then I do think that Zipp has every right to cede the throne to her sister if she so wishes. I wonder how the show will deal with this dilema going forward, the idea of the Pegasi having royalty that isn’t truly royal.

I recall an official description of Zipp saying “and would rather let her sister Pipp take over the throne”.