You can't compare the presidency to the Monarchy really as the president is not groomed from birth. He actually chooses his destiny. the monarchy is like an old established school where the training is traditional. I myself am in favour of the Monarchy as it does make us that little bit more special. Look what happenned to all the Countries that got rid of their Kingdoms, they've had nothing but trouble since. I think the freedom of the media in our lifetime has made all these events appear more than they are. The sad thing is the Queen cannot defend herself. I mean she can't give an interview like Diana did, spilling all. She also knew what she was marrying into (the firm as I think Fergie calls it) after all it is a an old established firm. Before the advent of on the spot media coverage etc, IT was going on, it was just not covered as much if at all, and we plodded along happily living in ignorance. I personally prefer it that way as from babies we were brought up to think of Kings, Queens, Princesses and Princes as like fairy tale characters and it was fantastic if you caught a glimpse or better still shook hands with a member. Now everything they do is muddied. For years they used to have a go at Princess Anne, but did anyone credit her endless diary of charitable events and work for UNICEF ?. I think myself lucky that I wasn't born with Royal blood as I couldn't do the job. Off me soap box now..... Angela Marged said "And yet, we are expected to think that being born into the Royal Family is enough to make one fit to be the Monarch."