“I don’t agree that monarchs in European countries are mere figureheads - having lived in some of these countries.”
I disagree with you. There are no relevant monarchies left in Europe, you just may be mistaking them for being relevant.
Saudi Arabia may not be a real country, but they are headed by a real tyrant king who can and often does cut peoples heads off on a Saturday night. The monarchs in Saudi Arabia are most certainly more “relevant” than any in Europe when the scope of their power is considered.
The only reason why European “monarchs” are not tyrants is that they have no relevance....outside of tourism
I get my opinions on first hand experience, not from National Geographic or The Reader’s Digest. And having actually lived in countries that are monarchies, my experience informs me otherwise.