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euronews I talk - Is Europe's monarchy anachronist...

http://www.euronews.com/ In this edition of I-talk we consider the role of Europe's kings and queens. *Presenter Alex Taylor:* "There are 12 European countries that have their own monarchy. Do our kings and queens serve any purpose or should we behead these anachronistic institutions once again? "To answer your questions, whether you are a subject or a citizen, please welcome the European king of aristocracy, Stéphane Bern, joining us from Paris." *Stéphane Bern, royal expert:* "Hello Alex, hello everyone!" *Alex Taylor:* "So you know our programme: short questions, quick answers. Let's start with this rather basic question." *Question:* "Hello, my name is Owen Brown, I am from Belgium and I would like to know: what's the use of having a King? Thank you." *Stéphane Bern:* "Listen, a king's role may seem simply decorative, but it's like a cornerstone: you remove it, and the whole building collapses. In a way, he is the cement of a nation, an ambassador, a national symbol which brings people together. He's like a referee, and a referee cannot be the captain of either team, I think football fans will understand the metaphor perfectly." *Alex Taylor:* "Yes, but there are some nations that do perfectly well without, such as yours, Stéphane Bern..." *Stéphane Bern:* "Well, precisely. If things were going that smoothly, they would be completely different. We wouldn't have, at the heart of our political debate, questions about identity in power. You see how people tear each other apart in a political party. At the very top of the state, you need to rise above that. "On the one hand, there is the symbolism of nation and state, and on the other, there is the life of a government and shifts in power. You see that in Spain, in the United Kingdom, in Belgium, and it works quite well. The main thing is to preserve the unity of a nation, to preserve its identity, especially abroad. For example, you see some kings acting as ambassadors, as salesmen for their country, especially in times of crisis. They take their suitcases and go and sell their national label all over the world, and they open doors to trade, because in a way, they have become luxury salesmen." *Alex Taylor:* "Another question on I-Talk for Stéphane Bern." *Question:* "I am Antoine from Lyon, France. Can you tell me why people from countries without a monarchy are fascinated by nations that have one?" *Alex Taylor:* "It's true that in nations like France, for example, people ...