Watching David Dimbleby watching the royal family, I am instantly reminded of the BBC’s other royal David. It is pure Attenborough as he examines the exotic plumage and rituals of rex Windsorianus in its natural habitat.

In this week’s first episode of What’s the Monarchy For? , a three-part study of the sovereign for BBC1, Dimbleby examines royal power, engagingly prodding and poking fun at both sides. However, it ends as it starts, with our host still scratching his head.

The monarchy is the first thing much of the world thinks about when it thinks about Britain

Perhaps we will have an answer by the end of the final episode. For those who do not have three hours to spare, however, I would point to the scene on Windsor high street this week as a very simple answer to Dimbleby’s que

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