I'm also of the persuasion that, in the 21st century, it shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to come up with a better arrangement than a hereditary monarchy, Pete, but still one with no political power. But I also enjoed some of the pageantry that was part of the celebrations - not because I'm a sycophantic royalist (before anyone starts foaming-at-the-mouth and finger-pointing), but because I enjoy a bloody good, well organised, spectacle. And it was.