Ehmmmm I don't think any of "us" were around in those days, and no their profits are not ALL ill-gotten gains if you are headed back that far. They provided protection and justice of the sort was around in those days to let others get on with their lives service was a two way street back in feudal times.

You wouldn't last a week Steve because the Queen has to go around constantly being "nice" to people of all sorts, she has to appear interested in whatever they are saying whether she agrees with it or not, she always has to be immaculately turned out and never ever late. That is just the outside engagement programme she has to cope with. Then there is the "office" work all those Red Dispatch Boxes, and yes she does actually have to read that lot and do what is required of her, then of course the State commitments and charity work on top of that - you and your wide fitting size tens if you started on the Monday morning would be running down the drive by Tuesday lunchtime. Five day 48 hour weeks would be a breeze for her - almost like a holiday. As for holidays, how many are you forced to take with a list of guests that you cannot stand being imposed on you without option - just think about it, a beautiful breakaway from it all up at Balmoral in the company of Tony and Cherie Blair.

Couldn't quite seen what you were driving at regarding the Prime Minister - President is the Head of State most countries that have them also have Prime Ministers or someone else in their role/function equivalents - point being put across was Presidents are far more expensive than a Monarchy and you did not manage to counter the point.