The revelations about Prince Harry’s drinking and cannabis use are a clear reminder of the royal family’s principal function: to live out in the spotlight the dilemmas of ordinary families. This is why, after the death of Diana, republican sentiment faded away. Her legacy was to make us want to see what happens to the remaining characters, and use them to reflect on our own dilemmas and difficulties. Getting rid of them would be like pulling the plug on EastEnders.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2002/jan/15/drugsandalcohol.monarchy