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Power fades, pomp remains

PARIS - Ever since Louis XVI lost his head to the guillotine during the French Revolution, things have never been quite the same for Europe's royals.

Once upon a time, they had the divine right of kings, with power over whole countries or, at least, rich lands, castles and serfs. Today, many have little left but blue blood, glittering crown jewels and regular gatherings that show the full pomp of their former glory: baptisms, birthdays, weddings and funerals.

There, they catch up with their distant cousins, an interconnected web of family stretching across Europe. The next event on the royal calendar: today's funeral of Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who died April 6. When he is buried in Monaco's cathedral alongside his wife, the film star Grace Kelly, representatives from royal families from across Europe will be there.

A few of the guests, including ex-King Constantine of Greece and British Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, crossed paths Saturday when Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, married longtime love Camilla Parker Bowles.

Beyond upholding those traditions, one might wonder, what purpose do European royals serve in the modern world?

"Stability," said Jean Des Cars, a French biographer of Rainier and Kelly. "They are an element of stability in a changing world.... Who knows who the president of Switzerland is? It is always changing."

There are influential monarchs, like King Juan Carlos of Spain, who is revered for his role in ushering in democracy after the death of Gen. Francisco Franco in 1975 and putting down an attempted coup in 1981. A beloved father figure, he now stays out of politics.

J. Randy Taraborrelli, who wrote Once Upon a Time, about the Rainier-Kelly marriage, says politics aren't the point.

"The only thing that keeps (royalty) alive as a concept is the glamor and romance of it," he said. "It's the fantasy of fabulous people doing fabulous things."

Most modern monarchs have little real power to govern, but there are a few exceptions.

Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein stunned Europe by pushing for more powers: He won the right to dismiss governments and veto laws before handing day-to-day governance over to his son in 2004. Of course, the country is so small that the royals can invite the whole nation of 33,000 over for drinks on National Day.

Another is Bulgaria's former King Simeon II, who was crowned as a 6-year-old, then forced into exile during the Cold War.

To come back into power, he had to do it the modern way: through elections. He was voted in as prime minister in 2001 using the name Simeon Saxcoburggotski.

In Britain, where taxpayers regularly gripe about royal spending, the royal yacht has been scrapped, and a few cars were trimmed from the royal train. Prince William is viewed as the modern face of British royalty - a sporty young man who dresses casually in jeans and enjoys a pint of cider with friends.

Scandinavian monarchs have sent their children to state-run schools and military academies.

And Danish Crown Prince Frederik met his Australian bride, Mary Donaldson, during the 2000 Sydney Olympics at a pickup joint fit for a commoner: a bar. Later, during a "Meet Your Prince" event, the bar offered cocktails with names like "There's Something about Mary," and "Great Dane."

[Last modified April 15, 2005, 00:50:05]