A May poll found that 62 percent of people in Great Britain favored remaining a monarchy, compared to 28 percent who preferred a republic. A monarch is not the only option for a nonpolitical head of state. Germany, Israel and other countries have non-royal largely ceremonial heads of state who can stand for harmony above the fray. But even the nonpolitical presidents like Herzog are often former politicians and don’t seem to have the healing power of monarchs. When Japan gave up fighting in 1945 to end World War II, many in the Tokyo government bitterly opposed the decision.

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Persons: ”, Chris Patten, Lord Patten, Barnes, Isaac Herzog of Israel, Herzog, King Charles, Emperor Hirohito Organizations: Japan Locations: Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Tongan, Tokyo, Japan