The one thing communist takeovers got right: stripping the prestige and wealth from the undeserving monarchies and the leeches that lived in them. And, it wasn't just the commies, some hard line rulers did the same. Too many democratic countries still allow such leeches; even Spain brought back the monarchy around 1975 after they finally got free of their dictator.

I was thinking that Friday when the news was showing the arrival of the magic rock from Scotland that has to be under his chair during the coronation. It was at Westminster Abbey being massaged by a bunch of gowned goons to make sure it is ready to do its magic job!