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But remember the cathedral was built, owned and run by a supranational organization, sometimes supporting, sometimes in conflict with the monarch.

But was it funded by that organization? I was under the impression that big projects like cathedrals were used by the church as essentially huge visible PR projects, which attracted funding from people who wanted to be seen to donate (providing PR for themselves). Some of the funding might also have been siphoned off to the church itself, I can imagine.

This pattern continues today – witness the speed at which funding for rebuilding has been publicly pledged by people wishing to be widely seen to do so.

And their children would reign after them, so monarchs are much more willing to take a long-term approach.

Not unlike a president granting their children and children-in-law positions within the country's administration.

Not unlike the duties given to presidential spouses.

or Presidential brothers.

Not really. That just encourages as much looting as possible while they're in control.

I guess some of us do. But then you have Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, The Saud family, etc.