Last guest was me - sorry.

The president of the USA fulfills both roles - Head of State and Head of Government. Presumably he spends less time visiting primary schools and declaring things open. In legal terms the sovereign does indeed approve legislation and sign it into law. It's an interesting point about what would happen if s/he refused to do so.

The Irish seem to manage very well with separate elected Heads of State and Government.

If you don't believe the monarch to be divinely appointed, then s/he has no more right to rule than anyone else, and should stand for election.

As I see it, the current incumbent holds the rank because her ancestors were politically astute enough to rise to the top of the pile and stay there. She stays there because, like her more recent ancestors, she has been politically asute enough to re-brand 'The Royal Family' in a way acceptable during the 20th century. Whether this will continue further into the 21st century is another interesting question - as is the question of whether the younger family members actually want life in a gold plated goldfish bowl.

I'm more or less the same age as Charles. I've done a lot of the things I want to and got through most of the things I had to. There are still things I want and intend to do, but I am aware I'm winding down somewhat and I don't mind, because I've lived my life. He's waiting, as he has done for his whole life, for his mother to die so he can do the job he was trained for. Would I swop my pension and my terraced house for their millioms? Not if it meant their lifestyle. I like the freedom to do what I want. I like the freedom to express my opinions. I like the freedom to campaign for what I believe to be right.