The BRF plays a very different role today than they did centuries ago when they actually had political power. They are basically living mascots, representatives of the UK. They do most work as diplomats and helping with charities, as well as acting for patrons of different trades.
They have no say in what Parliament does when passing and enacting laws. Whoever is currently monarch usually gets to talk to the Prime Minister and get updates on what's going on in Parliament, but they can't do more than give advice or suggestions, and there's no guarantee Parliament will do anything based on what the current king or queen says.
The BRF is also not as rich as some people think. Most of their assets are tied up in property they own, and a lot of the stuff they use during ceremonies, or buildings they make use of, have been around for a long time and inherited over the generations. Most of their income doesn't even come from taxes. The king gets a small stipend in British taxes every year, but the bulk of his (and his family's) money comes from collecting rent from property they own all over the UK (which is how they've been getting an income for centuries, oddly enough).
Yeah, Charles is a twat. Many people still don't like him or Camilla, hence why the celebrations weren't as big as his mom's coronation 70 years ago. In fact, a British pen-pal of mine showed irritation at the fact that Charles was still holding a coronation despite the British people being cash-strapped at the moment. And he actually sat on a wooden throne with a stone underneath it.
Most of the Brits look to William and Kate for inspiration, rather than the old fart crowd.
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