The monarchy is Britain’s hereditary institution of state, headed by King Charles III, whose ceremonial duties include hosting state visits. Its defenders argue occasions like the October 2026 Windsor welcome — unmatched in spectacle by any elected office — justify the institution through soft power alone. Critics debate its cost and place; the crowds on Datchet Road, watching carriages roll past, represent its enduring public foundation.
(Mark Tantrum / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0))
Mentioned in: Gun Salutes, Gilded Carriages and Centuries of Ritual: Why the Oman State Visit Matters