"Boris has really adopted a disgracefully cavalier attitude," reads the damning school report. "I think he honestly believes that it is churlishRude and ungenerous. of us not to regard him as an exception."

The pupil is Boris Johnson. The report emerged on social media this week. And many are pointing out that Boris does not seem to have changed much since his school days.

Johnson's leadership is in tatters. He is facing calls to resign over a series of parties held during Covid lockdowns. On Wednesday, he apologised for attending a garden party at 10 Downing StreetThe official residence of the British prime minister. in May 2020. At the time, people in the UK could only meet one other person for a walk in a park.

But there was more to come. Reports have emerged this week about parties held on 16 April last year. The date was meaningful because, on the following day, millions watched as the Queen sat alone at her husband's funeralA service held after someone has died to remember their life..

Politicians from all sides are furious. Opposition leaderIn the British political system the MPs who do not vote with the government are called the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is the head of the largest party in this group - in this case Labour. Keir Starmer called Johnson's explanations ridiculous and offensive. Members of the prime minister's own party had equally strong words. One asked: "How do you defend the indefensible?"

Johnson is not the only member of the British establishment whose reputation has sunk this week. News broke that Prince Andrew could face trial for sexually abusing an underage girl. Soon after, the Queen stripped her son of his royal and military titles.

Johnson's mistakes are very different to those alleged against Prince Andrew. Still, some commentators see parallels between the two. Like Prince Andrew, one journalist writes, Johnson "does not believe normal rules apply to the likes of him".

Mark Landler of the New York Times says both men have been shielded by their privilege. As a result, they believed they could avoid the consequences of their actions.

Britain is famous for its long-lasting upper class. Of the country's 55 prime ministers, 20 were at Eton. Some believe that this breeds carelessness. "The privately educated Englishman," wrote novelist John Le CarreFamous for spy novels such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, which were partially based on his experiences working for Britain's secret services., "is the greatest dissemblerTo dissemble is to conceal your true feelings or beliefs in a way that is dishonest or misleading (although not necessarily lying). on Earth".

Yes: There's nothing more toxic than a ruler who thinks they are born to rule. People like Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew are brought up knowing that the normal rules don't apply to them. It shows. 

No: This is about personal character, not social class. The Queen made a huge sacrifice at Prince Philip's funeral, proving it's perfectly possible to be a compassionate ruler.

Or:  Privilege doesn't necessarily create careless characters. But it does allow people to get away with poor behaviour. We should respect people for what they achieve - not for who they are.