But even without their advantage, it's obvious Elizabeth has been critical to the success of the House of Windsor.

BBC: Queen Elizabeth II's calm reign key to her success

It is hard not to equate the travails of the Royal Opera House with those of the House of Windsor.

ECONOMIST: Royal Opera House

The British royal family can be traced back 900 years to William the Conqueror, although the succession has passed through a number of families to the house of Windsor.

CNN: AN HEIR OF CHANGE IN JAPAN

But as long as the House of Windsor plc remains in the head-of-state business, it has to keep an eye on its core competence: being born, being non-political, and simply being there.

ECONOMIST: The monarchy

The representatives of the House of Windsor, bravely touring the East End of London during the Blitz, still showed with hats and handbags and graciously extended hands that they were a class apart.

ECONOMIST: Princess Juliana of the Netherlands

The decision was "left for as long as possible in the sincere hope that ongoing events -- resulting from recent unrest in the Kingdom of Bahrain -- might have improved, leaving me able to join the celebrations of the House of Windsor and the family of Miss Middleton, without being overshadowed by issues in Bahrain, " Al-Khalifa wrote.

CNN: Bahraini crown prince to skip royal wedding

But above all it is the glimpses of humanity inside the early House of Windsor that infuse history with drama.

FORBES: Rich Film Slice of Royal History

Windsor (12-307) and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives v.

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Hipsters favor The Drake on Queen West with its art-house vibe and bustling bar scene, while the hushed, clubby Windsor Arms, just steps from the toney boutiques of Bloor Street, draws A-list celebs.

FORBES: Travel