Does the British monarchy still matter?

Ever since Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, the royal monarchy has become the subject of tabloid fodder, so much so that the newly married Prince William and Kate Middleton may be the first in the family to be celebrities first and royals second. When they share the same magazine covers as celebrities, it begs the question: Does the British monarchy matter anymore? "The British monarchy — it's more or less toothless," says Temple psychologist Frank Farley. "It does have power of a certain type, influencing public opinion and consuming enormous amounts of time and money."
April 29, 2011 | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review