The value of a monarchy

By Christopher Vaughan Jul 3, 2006, 22:54 GMT

Britain\'s Queen Elizabeth II, leaves St Paul`s Cathedral in central London t following a thanksgiving service held in honour of her official 80th birthday,Wednesday,15 June,2006.EPA/GEOFF CADDICK

It's quite a bargain. The monarchy in Britain costs each of its citizens 62 pence last year, according to a Buckingham Palace announcement made last week as part of its annual report on royal finances.

That makes the overall yearly amount to fund the monarchy just over £35 million. While some people might scoff at this seemingly extravagant amount being spent on a single family, a closer look reveals this is money well spent.

The British monarchy has survived more than 1000 years and as such, it uniquely represents the nation's vast history and culture. No other group or individual seems to have been able to meander its way through Britain's tumultuous ups and downs and survive like the monarchy.

The monarchy transcends political, religious and other differences which exist amongst British people and offers a common figurehead for every citizen. The monarch provides a symbol under which the people of Britain can unite, not only for themselves but also for the rest of the world to see.

Britain is a democracy and a rather successful one at that. While at first it might seem a bit contradictory to have as their head of state an unelected official, it successfully works for the nation. That's because the monarchy does not govern per se and does not get involved in political disputes or debates. Rather, the monarchy represents the nation as a unified whole.

The monarchy provides a sense of continuity in an otherwise hectic and ever-changing world. Whether it's the annual Christmas greeting or the laying of a wreath on Remembrance Day, the monarch is always there to guide the nation through its important times.

In return, the British people also celebrate and share in the monarchy's triumphs and sorrows. Thousands of people participated in the various events this year to help celebrate the Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday. A seemingly endless queue of mourners poured into London to pay their respects to the Queen Mother after she passed away in 2002.

The monarchy also plays a role in supporting the British economy. There are hundreds of people employed by the monarchy - whether it is as a lady-in-waiting, sentry or butler. These people are often so satisfied that they spend their entire working lives with the monarchy.

Then there is the monarchy's position in the tourism industry. Every year, thousands of people captivated by the monarchy visit Britain. Many buy admission tickets for places such as the Tower of London or the state rooms at Buckingham Palace. They also stay at hotels, eat at local restaurants and buy souvenirs to remember their trip.

So on first glance, 62 pence a year may seem like a lot for every British citizen to pay for the upkeep of their monarchy. But after recognizing how much the monarchy does for the nation, its value far outweighs the cost.

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Christopher Vaughan is a journalist living in Canada. He has been a royal watcher for more than 20 years.