Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work - Season 1 (2008)

While domestic politics are completely taken over by elected politicians, diplomacy still gives precedence in protocol and thus de facto a say and influential ear to royals, especially the monarch as head of state, who formally represents the nation at state visits, in this case to US president Bush Jr. in the White House. Elaborate preparations cover all details, from route and security to logistics and menu. A sovereign for life outclasses elected officials in experience, which helps preserving a disproportional importance for Britain in internationals affairs, even...

While the formal function of head of state is vested in the single person of the Sovereign, the larger social role of the royal family is spread over more members of the royal family. Each royal, notably the children and siblings of Monarch and heir (Prince of Wales), has his/her own staff, profile and social agenda, typically hundreds of public appearances a year, such as visits, inaugurations, patronages of charities, and still they have to turn down more offers. It's a job for which there is no training, except on the job (or accompanying a veteran), and at the ...

The main seat of the British monarchy, Buckingham palace in London, is where most of the real work is done by the Sovereign, who is still head of state of 16 monarchies, represented in each country by a different, usually local Governor-general -who occasionally all meet with the Monarch at the palace- and (informal) leader of the Commonwealth (also including most other former British colonies, mainly republics). The palace staff of several hundred takes care of the large complex, with over 600 rooms which are all still used, plus sizable gardens; both are stretched ...