You DO realize that there was a more or less peaceful transition of power between the Monarchy and the current goverment, and certain agreements were made. The country paying to support the Royal Family is a small price to pay for what would have happened if there was actually a civil war oh so many years ago.
Also it's not like they don't do anything, The Royal Family are basically the UK's biggest diplomats. They travel all over the world on goverment business and negotiate. It's not typically described that way, but for all intents and purposes that is what they do. National Ambassadors is probably as good a term as any.
Just my thoughts.
At any rate, I admit to being a bit disappointed by this publicity stunt. It's interesting and all, but I would have gotten more chuckles if say they made a gold plated Wii, attached it to a giant golden rope chain, and then gave it to some Rapper as part of the deal for him to promote them. One of these guys running around acting serious with a giant golden Wii hanging around his neck would be an image that would never die.
Then when I'm like 60 or so and people have forgotten about it, we can laugh at the lawsuit when the impoverished rapper decides to try and sue Nintendo for neck and back injuries resulting from the promotion. >
Careful though, it sounds like something Soulja Boy would do without there being any kind of promotional deal worked out.