>What is the big attraction of the royal family in the UK, anyway? European
>response to Disney cartoon characters? Any comments? David? Anyone?
As I recall Tom Nairn's thesis, it's that the royal family represents British nationhood - and there's not much competition for that role. As he pointed out, the place doesn't even have a stable name - sometimes it's England, or Great Britain, or the UK (I know those don't refer to the same things, but that's part of the point). What else is there - steak & kidney pie?
Doug