It made for a refreshing break from what passes as real public life. I love parades of toy soldiers and well organised ceremonial, and nostalgic trips through the archives. The grovelling guff was irritating. Silence is much the best accompaniment to public events, such as these kinds of things and sporting events.

Looking round the world I can't seem to see any reason to think that countries without monarchies are any happier or have more egalitarian societies than countries with them. Or vice versa.