I understand your frustration. But let's keep in mind the simple historical fact that all the European monarchs who refused to become "rubber stamps" lost their thrones--and, in the cases of Charles I, Louis XVI, and Nicholas II, their lives. King Constantine II of Greece was the last European monarch to try to stand up for his rights against the leftists, and I admire him for it. But his actions only led to a seven-year dictatorship, the fall of the monarchy, and the eventual triumph of socialism. In the end, what good did his stand do?
If today's constitutional monarchies were as useless as you say, the Left would not bother hating them so much. But if you read leftist newspapers like the Guardian, it really infuriates them that the monarchies still exist, even though they no longer have any power. Their very existence denies total victory to the forces of egalitarianism.
As traditionalist Catholic monarchist Charles Coulombe pointed out to me in response to my query about a correspondent with similar views to yours, "While on the one hand, I share their annoyance with current crop, and prefer an effective Monarchy, what we have is still a better alternative than a republic would be. If anyone thinks Blair would be better as President than as PM, they have not really thought it through. And, of course, bad as the Windsors et al. may be, their opponents are worse. If the Monarchy is preserved, we may hope in time for better. If not, it will be much harder. "
most are protestant or worse
Of the ten reigning European sovereigns, five are Protestant and five are Catholic. I am not sure what you mean by "worse."
The best monarchs are mythical like King Arthur. They are not weighed down by human failings and the judgments of history.
What about the real, historical monarchs that the Church has canonized, like Louis IX of France, Ferdinand III of Spain, Henry of Germany, Stephen of Hungary, and the recently beatified Karl of Austria? What about the late King Baudouin of Belgium (1930-1993), who was known for his stand against abortion?
"If the Monarchy is preserved, we may hope in time for better. If not, it will be much harder."
But it is not. As time goes on, the more nominal monarchies become. Catholicism (and Christianity) is going the same way. The image and glitter is fine for romantic moments even to Americans but it seems populations return to their politicians for vision, protection and guidance on living. These paternal and spiritual roles, once the preserve of priests and princes, are now theirs and confirmed in endless statutes. Things are so far advanced that remnant monarchies and humbled churches almost pay homage to these achievements of the common man!
"Of the ten reigning European sovereigns, five are Protestant and five are Catholic. I am not sure what you mean by "worse.""
Except for Spain, countries with large Catholic populations have lost their monarchies. It is only where monarchs have followed religious and political trends (from protestantism to liberalism to socialism)they still exist but in name only. By worse I mean the tendency for young royals in particular to shed any Christian attachment and become "defenders of all faiths" and none. It gets worse and worse.
"What about the real, historical monarchs that the Church has canonized .... "
Fine if subsequent popes do not rescind these listings in response to historical revision or political pressure.