Honestly, from what I’ve seen it was NOT good to be the King.
When the political system features a leader-for-life, there’s only one way for a change of leadership to take place.
When I was a fighting-man, the kettle-drums they beat,
The people scattered gold-dust before my horses feet;
But now I am a great king, the people hound my track
With poison in my wine-cup, and daggers at my back.
[Robert E Howard]