...monarchies are holding up surprisingly well.

... 君主制度令人讚嘆不已！

Many are doing more than just surviving...

許多人做的不只是為了生存 ...

...they are thriving

... 他們正發光發熱。

44 countries have a monarch as head of state

有 44 個國家君主擔任國家元首。

Since the millennium only two royal families have gone out of business...

自千禧以來，只有兩個皇室家族宣告崩解 ...

those of Samoa and Nepal...

分別是薩摩亞和尼泊爾 ...

where in 2001 a murderous Nepalese prince...

原因出於 2001 年殺人的尼泊爾王子 ...

...killed nine family members, and himself

... 他殺了九個家族成員和自己。

In effect, ending the royal line

因此結束了王室時代。

In the 20th century revolutions and two world wars...

在 20 世紀的革命和兩次世界大戰 ...

...ended 110 monarchies

... 結束了 110 個君主制度。

How do you keep a monarchy alive?

你如何讓君主制度延續下去？

Queen Elizabeth II is perhaps the best-known monarch

女王伊莉莎白二世可能是最有名的君主。

She rules over 16 realms and 86% of Britons...

她統治了 16 個領土，86% 的英國人 ...

think she's doing a good job

都覺得她統治得很好。

This is partly because she says nothing of consequence...

這部分是因為她沒有公開 ...

...in public

... 說明後果。

The British royals have also proved they can move with the times...

英國皇室成員也證明他們可以與時俱進 ...

...welcoming a mixed-race American actress into the fold

... 歡迎一位混血的美國女演員加入。

In Thailand monarchs are apolitical, on paper...

在泰國，君主在表面上是不干預政治的 ...

...but their close ties with the army have legitimised...

... 但實際上他們與軍隊密切關係已經合法化 ...

...many military coups...

... 許多軍事政變 ...

...undermining democracy

... 破壞了民主制度。

Strict laws also protect the monarchy's image

嚴格的法律也保護了君主的形象。

Mild criticism of the royal family, and even their pets...

對皇室、甚至對他們的寵物溫和地批評 ...

...is landing increasing numbers of people in prison

... 也增加入獄的人數。

The power-hungry new king Vajiralongkorn...

渴望權力的新國王 Vajiralongkorn ...

is less popular than his father...

不如他爸爸受歡迎 ...

...and some wonder whether the institution...

... 有些人懷疑這個國家 ...

...will survive under his rule

... 是否可以在他的統治下生存 ...

In Saudi Arabia the king and his crown prince...

在沙烏地阿拉伯，國王和他的王子 ...

Mohammad bin Salman

穆罕默德‧本‧薩勒曼

...have absolute power

... 擁有絕對的權力。

Part of the Al Saud dynasty's success comes from its wealth

沙烏地王朝成功的部分原因在於財富。

Riches from oil boost the country's economy...

石油使國家的經濟蓬勃發展 ...

...creating large pots of money to buy the loyalty of subjects

... 創造大量的錢來購買君主的忠誠度。

Lavish welfare handouts are used to keep the people happy

奢侈的福利制度讓人民有幸福的生活。

And well-paid goons are used to keep them quiet

高收入的暴徒保持安靜。

On April 23rd the country executed 37 people...

國家在 4 月 23 日處決了 37 位人民 ...

...many of them Shias...

... 大多數是什葉派的人 ...

...for alleged terrorism

... 他們因涉嫌恐怖主義而被處決。

Monarchs who survive today have mastered the art of tightrope walking

如今倖存下來的君主制度，已經學會走鋼絲的藝術。

The best maintain popular support by staying out of politics...

遠離政治是最好保持民主支持的方法 ...

...putting their country's interests before their own...

... 將國家利益放在自己利益之上 ...

...and adapting with the times

... 並與時俱進。

If they don't...

如果他們不這麼做 ...

...they risk disappearing for good

... 他們就會面臨永遠消失的風險。