The Royal Fucking Wedding

But anyway, it's not a just a question of economic value, it's a question of the values we want to encourage in our culture. Elitism, snobbery, automatic privilege by birth and dubious genetics doesn't seem to feature on any list of positive social influences I've ever encountered

Well that's one side of the coin, but look at it another way.

Prince William was born, and through that accident of birth he learns he can have no life of his own. He has the misfortune to be born into a 'special' family and through no fault of his own must always put his duty to the country of his birth above any ambition he might have had for himself. After school he must join the forces, engage in charitable work, and eventually act as head of state. Oh, and he will always be a terrorist target, so will never have any privacy. As compensation for this he is given status and wealth, and the public cheer and wave flags when he gets married.

The values of Selflessness, duty, serving your country, charitable patronage, representing and championing your country, its people and its exports: are these not positive social influences?