There have been some very good points made in the last posts, the costs of monarchy and democracy are about the same. The problem is most people do not realize that and those (politicians) who are yelling the loudest do not want ordinary people to realize that. They point out just how expensive the monarchy is, but do not talk that in democracy you have to pay the cost for the president, his wife, his office, former presidents, their office etc. Why? Because it could be them who will be in the position of the new president and get paid by the taxpayers. In monarchy, they have no chance to get there.
In these days the position of president and monarch (in Europe) is about the same, they represent their country with no real political power. What I see as advantage in monarchy is that they are brough up to represent their country, they are educated for it, speak several foreign languages, whereas presidents often come and go, with no education in diplomacy.
Once I’ve heard someone said that monarchy coming closer to people (marrying commoners) is necessarily in these days and I fully agree with them. These days’ people are often irritated by those privileged ones. The old kings and queens can turn in their graves, but if the tradition of royalty marrying royalty only would continue the monarchy would have been already abolished several years ago. Other thing is that there is no real reason to do it these days. In the past royal marriages have been used to gain political power. What would be the point to do it nowadays? What would be the point to marry someone, you don’t love, who is not supporting you, who does not make you feel safe, but has blue blood? What would happen if for example, Swedish Princess marries a Danish Prince? Nothing, Sweden or Denmark as country would gain nothing from it, the Swedish or Danish taxpayers would gain nothing from it, only royal watchers would be excited.
So why being so opposed to royalty dating/living with/marrying commoners? Not just speaking about Sofia, I don’t think it’s important to judge someone’s past and where is he coming from. I don’t think that all people around the world are saints and never did something they regret now and for sure won’t do it in the future. What is IMO important is presence and future. Being royal is not just about wearing tiaras, expensive dresses, going to theater, handing prizes, it’s also about representing your country, living in the constant spotlight of the media, having limited private life, being publicly criticized for something you did or didn’t do etc. Not all people can handle that, not even all those who are born as royals can handle that. I think at some point all the commoners realize that and revalue if they are willing to give up their freedom to some extent and change their whole life to be with someone they love and what’s the most important thing to represent his/hers country, not for 5 years as president, but for their whole life. Yes, the taxpayers are for sure entitled to question them, question their ability to represent them, but what I find funny is that it's mostly people outside the "insert the country you wish" who are criticizing and questioning these commoners.
She was almost 100 yrs old. The taxpayers paid for her expenses a long time but every penny was worth it, imo...she gave this country a lot!
