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.
Note how in historiography being powerless is actually THE heaviest accusation historians can have towards a monarch. But it change when the current ruling class coming onto the scene and into power, then it’s suddenly became just a cute tradition.