I don't care how much "real" power they have. If you actually believe in a meritocracy how can you defend someone getting a job because of their lineage, attending real political events and ceremonies and influencing policies that way? And let's not forget that in many cases, they ACTUALLY have institutional powers they just don't use because they don't have to, the institutions serve their interests all the same.
Sorry for the pointless rant. It just happens way too often.
European here: it's true.
Ffs, in Spain the king was virtually untouchable despite being a sex pest and incredibly corrupt. One of his lovers (17 and pregnant at the time) supposedly jumped off a balcony. He would also "request" meeting popular actresses and singers and could ruin the career of all of them or any journalist who dared say anything at all.
And those journalists who shut up are the same ones now talking about the dangers of the far right (or left!!!), populism or how the new king is definitely a good person (unlike his father, grandfather, sister and brother in law, nephews...).
Back in the day (or today with the new king) you had plenty of liberals all going: "yes, i'm a republican, but i'm also a JuanCarlist", which translated means "i have to be a republican because i call myself left and i live in Spain, but now it's not the time to push for a republic because i don't have that many principles and i love cozying up to power".