She was, in effect, our chief diplomat and ambassador. It should be clear from the tributes being paid to her that she was no show-room dummy. When she spoke to prime ministers they listened, they sought her advice. When she talked to world leaders, they listened. People such as Obama and Mandela didn’t have to maintain contact with her after their tenures but they did. They clearly thought she had worth.
I’ve no doubt she presided over the smoothing of many an international incident and prevented the escalation of others through the soft power I’ve mentioned previously.
You could make the case that you don’t need a monarchy to do that and I’d agree but there are times in this world where someone just happens to fit the role imposed on them and has the character to carry it out selflessly and with dignity and honour. Sure she was rich but no amount of money in the world could have compensated me for the hand that she was dealt.