The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made royal history Monday after the Duchess gave birth to the third in line to the British throne.
The royal son, George Alexander Louis, was met with widespread adoration from Anglophiles around the world.
While many celebrated the royal birth, some took the opportunity to renew their criticism of the British royal family.
The birth of the Duke and Duchess’s first-born son has left some people questioning the importance of having a monarchy in the 21st century.
Although modern-day kings and queens rarely involve themselves in the affairs of government, their importance is no less significant.
For a variety of reasons, monarchies — like the one in the United Kingdom — serve important purposes for citizens around the globe.
The most important asset that someone like Queen Elizabeth II, England’s ruling monarch, can bring to a country is leadership experience.
During troublesome times, monarchs can help unite citizens and restore national pride.
In addition to serving as moral figureheads, monarchs like Queen Elizabeth II also serve as ambassadors.
According to a 2012 article from Time magazine, the queen has participated in more than 260 overseas visits during her 60-year-plus reign.
By representing her country on countless other occasions, the queen has undoubtedly improved the U.K.’s world image.
Another benefit of having a monarchy is the unifying properties that a monarch can bring.
As a monarch, the idea of partisanship is non-existent. By having a moral leader with no political affiliation, citizens are more likely to unite behind them.
In addition to providing universal leadership, members of the royal family also help spur economic growth.
According to an article from the International Business Times, some travel companies have seen as much as a 17 percent increase in flights and hotel reservations because of the royal baby’s birth.
Though not originally intended to be a marketing tool, the monarchy has come to be synonymous with travel and merchandise within the U.K.
When events like royal births and weddings occur, a boost in the local economy is provided.
Despite one’s predilection towards the monarchy, it’s undeniable that it indirectly provides an economic boost to local vendors and travel companies.
There are critics who say, however, that the amount of funds required to run the queen’s estate is far too large.
According to The Guardian, the current operating cost of the monarchy is 36.1 million British pounds.
Although the figure may seem high, the operating budget pales in comparison to the country’s gross domestic product of approximately 1.44 trillion pounds in 2011, according to data from the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.
In reality, the monarchy in the U.K. does more good than bad. Taking time to watch a wedding or birth should be celebrated, not cast aside.
Shane Newell is a junior journalism major and the opinions editor at the Daily 49er.