Miklos,

I'll agree with you that an hereditary head of state enjoys a certain maternal (or indeed paternal) quality - no one need look any further than Denmark or The Netherlands for examples. And that quality was present also in Hungary's last-but-one king, Francis Joseph.

No doubt this is inextricable and very desirable in an hereditary head of state. One of the best arguments for heredity over election in choosing a ceremonial leader is this sense of familiarity you mention; however it manifests itself whether maternal, avuncular or filial. Among Europe's ceremonial heads of state, the hereditary ones are clearly far better at projecting that sense than the elected ones.

A good and worthy man he may be, but who wouldn't rather have a Margaret of Denmark than a László Sólyom? Likewise, Heinz Fischer is an admirable man whose dedication to public service is undeniable - but if I did not mention that he is president of Austria, would most of the people reading this now have any idea who he is? To function as a figurehead, one must first figure in people's heads.