@GaudyNight
I hope you’re right about it being on its last legs. I’m not convinced, alas, but am hoping the bizarre attachment people have to the current queen will turn into a backlash against hereditary monarchy when she dies — but as long as there are humdrum lives, there will be a perceived need for the circus, and people waving little flags from their sleeping bags on the Mall.
There is that, of course.
I suppose I was judging by how my own feelings have changed towards the monarchy over time.
Early teens when Charles and Diana married - totally bought into the "fairy tale" thing.
Later, didn't think much of either Charles or Diana (and stopped buying into the latter's "perfect mother" image after she used William's affectionate gestures towards her in that television interview; he was bound to get totally mocked at school).
Later still, didn't think much of the younger royals; at least, I felt, the queen's put the hours in, kept quiet under provocation, not complained etc
But things have changed a lot during her reign. Eg her sister would have had to give up any claim to the throne had she married a divorced man; her son is now a divorced man himself and still heir to the throne.
The current political position reveals she has no actual power or isn't prepared to use it.
Maybe they do inject some glamour into the country, but I think it's not just me who's become more aware of the base metal under the gold plate.