Quote Originally Posted by JamesWales View Post
1 - Yes, but you know it is different. How many Germans would recognise our queen vs how many Brits recognise (checks notes) Frank Walter-Steinmeier?

2 - I know. But what more does he bring to German society vs our head of state?
The German Head of State is elected and not given the post by dint of the bed he is born in. No-one has to swear allegiance to him in order to take his seat in parliament and he is not part of the etsablishment in the same way that the Queen is. He is not semi-worshipped and people do not need to fawn to him in a infantilistic state. He is part of a mature democracy and not the remnant of a feudal system with its honours systems et al. He will not occupy the post until he sheds his mortal coil. He does not dole out baubles in the name of the former German Empire. He is not the Head of the Church in Germany. People do not sing his name in the German National Anthem etc etc.
All healthier stuff in my opinion.