The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the praise pouring in from almost all quarters for her 70 years of service make a powerful case, even for small-r republican and small-d democratic Americans, for the institution of constitutional monarchy. There is much to be said for having a head of state who is politically neutral, culturally traditional, but open to popular innovation, personally embodying the traditional strengths of a nation.

Such a monarch does not govern in the sense of making policy. But in exercising her prerogatives, as described by the Victorian-era journalist Walter Bagehot, to be consulted, to encourage and warn, she holds elected heads of government accountable under cover of confidentiality.