We beheaded the lions to make way for hyenas.
We beheaded the kings to make way for the fouler, far more steadfast tyrants with lines not of blood, which is fragile and easily swayed as a single human soul, but of selfish principle, which is permanent.
We are governed in this Western world by the cruel tyranny of a fickle majority, ever hypocritical, ever misled, ever ill informed, ever frightened.
As we abolish rulers, we also rid ourselves of servants, and servitude, reducing ourselves to countless individual citizens, all kings (and slaves) of our own private half-inch. And as the population grows, nurtured by this philosophy of mass appeal, so shrinks our half inch.
How readily we threw away a form of government so relied upon for thousands of years of strife, wonderment, exploration, progress, and survival; and replaced it with this infant of a concept, which did not even last a few hiccups in the ancient world uncorrupted. How utterly foolish we are to praise it as the one and only way! The best option! The option which brought with it a dismantlement of the family ties of Europe and the most unfortunate of times known to humanity, followed directly after by an even more unfortunate time. Once Republicanism set in, so too set in the dehuminization of countries, snapped bonds of brotherhood between European nations, and Blame by Committee. ((Gullo refers of course to The Great War, followed by World War II, and the Treaty of Versailles))
But I have faith. Already the world is turning in my direction. Young people of the West grow more and more repulsed by the corruption and disinterested in the shallow successes of republicanism. The rise of the celebrity cult only supports a need to return to a government with personality - with humanity - and direction. A national family. The most natural of all government.
A republic, as it is being made clearer by the decade, only works in theory. Just as any other form of government, it can easily go awry.
To be saddled with a bad king as opposed, naturally, to a good one, is just as likely as being saddled with a bad president, prime minister, chairman, etc. These noble offices require false promises, seduction, two faced charisma, and all things detrimental to one's ability to rule with fairness. A king has no need of these evils. He has no need to seduce his subjects in order to gain power, and if promises are not kept, he cannot simply blame it on checks and balances (a concept invented by cowards who are afraid that allowing progress will also allow misfortune). And so, he is not power hungry. He did not grow up with the drive to one day rule - it is simply a natural duty. A king benefits from a lifetime of preparation for the task ahead, for, yes, ruling a people for however long a period takes a lifetime to prepare for, not simply a few whimsical years of study. He need only worry about being a good ruler, not being one desired enough by the voting population. And unlike an elected official, if he is not a good ruler, the consequences are far more dire than a mere impeachment or an embarrassing electoral defeat at the end of a short term. He must live forever with his disgrace if he does wrong by his people, or die by their provoked outrage.
Of course, in this dismal age, children are taught to believe revolutions are glorious, yet forbidden to rebel. They are only told of tyrannical kings, and fair royalty are stuff of fairy tales.
Royals who do have power in the modern world are, contrary to popular Republican belief, capable of adjusting to modern principles. Romania, for instance, has a family which allows women to ascend the throne if they are the eldest sibling. Crown Princess Margarita's devotion to her country is expressed in her own words: "Freedom and a decent life is everybody's right. It should come about now in our country."
In the midst of World War II, many Eastern European countries were forced to make alliance with the two giants who encroached upon them: Hitler or Stalin. Bulgaria's King Boris III chose the side of Germany, but backed out of the deal when he (along with his people and government) refused to ship Jewish Bulgarians to camps. Shortly thereafter Boris died under suspicious circumstances, and the young boy who succeeded him remains Bulgaria's King Simeon II. What is internationally unique about King Simeon is that he has also been elected Prime Minister. After being exiled for 50 years, Simeon returned to his home country, recently released by the Soviet Union, and was launched into office. He is adored by his people both as an elected official deftly reconstructing the country with passion and efficiency, and as a born king. There are rumours of his royalist sentiments, and intention to bring back a proper monarchy, but his official statement is this: "If Bulgaria wants a king, here I am."
Royalist sentiments in European heirs are not uncommon. Prince George Friedrich of Prussia has said, "People in Germany should start thinking about bringing back the monarchy. I am sure it will happen." It is a bit strange that His Royal Highness uses the name "Germany," because the kingdoms that make up Germany would have to be separated and the German unification dessolved in order for the monarchs to take throne again. Unless he is suggesting the Prussian royals take over Bavaria and Wuttemburg, which I would not put past him.
Even royalty which has been demoted to the status of cultural figurehead at best cannot escape their roots. In many cases the exile or similar trauma caused by encroaching government alternatives such as Comunism, Socialism, Republicanism, etc have strengthened the royal individual's sense of duty. "All I do is towards the same aim; to serve Spain," says Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, who has been given a law education, and represents Spain socially and culturally as an honorary president.
The thrones of France and Russia, though these countries show little signs of swinging towards the re-establishment of a monarchy, continue to be contested by several heir apparents, complete with titles used by their followers.
"With all the political problems around the world, royalty is important. A monarchy is a good point of reference because it remains above politics." - Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Italy
(Quotes from Vanity Fair September 2003)
As I embark on my newest project - loosely inspired by the brilliant William Blake, Taxi Driver, in which at the end of each page, a reader's poll is cast dictating what character the hero encounters next - I am set to thinking again about The Body Dandiacal (for my hero will be of its vast and colourful numbers). 
