Outsiders look upon the European Monarchies as being a cross between a media attraction and a throwback to times long gone by.
However the fact is undeniable that the European countries who do boast an active monarchy have displayed a political stability over the last century, at least, that other Western European countries cannot come close to.
There are those who say that if Great Britain did not have a monarchy during World War Two, it may have not won the war. The people, and especially the charismatic prime minister of the time, the late Sir Winston Churchill, got very far behind the Royal Family. And the Royal Family reciprocated by visiting the sites of the Luftwaffe bombing raids in London, exposing themselves to real personal danger.
It has been the adherence to traditions that has allowed European monarchy to last the pace, with an eye to keeping pace with times and the affections of the people. The costs of retaining a monarchy are expensive, whilst most members of European monarchies have amassed great personal wealth. However the bulk of costs involved in maintaining the monarchy fall on the taxpayer.
However the people seem happy to maintain this establishment and there is no sign of any of the major European families stepping down or being overthrown in the near future,
The British Monarchy, in relative terms, has gone through some more upheavals in the last century, from the abstention of King Edward to the death of Lady Diana. The temporary tremors that these major events caused were dealt with by the stoicism of the British Royal family, and fairly soon things returned to business as usual at Buckingham Palace.
The other European Monarchies have experienced less turbulent times, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Norway and Sweden all enjoying a stability that mirrors the public’s feeling of legitimacy towards the monarchy and the willingness to subsidize this venerable institution for the foreseeable future.
Over all, the monarchies have shown their willingness and ability to try some new directions. Whilst breaking down some of the more rigid traditions, they are yet to
Display any signs of radicalism that would suggest levels of informality indicating a break in its continuity.
European monarchy sits well in its role of being above the day-to-day political struggle. There role of being above the daily struggle to survive and prosper has actually gained the monarchies the respect and the love of their people.