And the government gets far, far, more value in return.

If the government doesn’t want to spend that money on the royal family, they can send diplomats, ambassadors, the prime minister etc. to do their bidding. It would cost nearly as much but in the long run, none of those people have the international sway of the royal family.

I’m glad we are “done with kings” here as Washington put it, but you don’t understand the British monarchy at all.

P.S. I haven’t listened to H&M and have no intention to do so. But, having served my mission in England, I understand a bit just how the royals serve the nation. The British are getting their money’s worth. And most of the country realizes that.