The thing is

• There are delusional leaders in democratic systems that build a cult of personality and market themselves as having been picked by God to lead, some even going to authoritarian lengths to cement their rule. The united states is currently one of those countries, and I think that is a far more dangerous thing to block from my country than Norway's monarchy
• many monarchies are hereditary celebrities rather than hereditary leaders, where the position is kept around for the tourism value and they do not have (or claim to have) any right to rule over people

So when you make a comment saying that "they deserved it" about someone whose crime is being born into the spotlight, despite any good they may have done with that position, people are going to think you're an uninformed jerk.

It's one of those things where the royal family has no actual political power vested in them, yet at the same time this particular king and queen has used their royal influence to better people's lives wherever they can.

Like, even if they have no power, being king and queen turns heads, and they've used this to make sure people are heard, people are unified and important things come to light.

They've highlighted the importance of diversity, gay rights, religious freedoms and all that entails. This king has used his influence to right the wrongs he's seen in how indigenous people have been treated, they've travelled to areas after natural disasters to help with relief work while in rubber boots and work jackets while the areas were still dangerous. Left the fancy suit and stuff at home and went out to help.

For Norway, I think a lot of people see the king as their kind grandpa who still believed in the good in the hearts of the people. That grandpa who didn't become more radicalized the older he got. The kind of man who listened to his son's girlfriend's troubled past full of poor choices and still said "No problem. You're still welcome here."

I think the world is a little bit poorer without him, even if I mostly don't like monarchs and monarchies. Power doesn't corrupt as much as it reveals, and with him, I feel it revealed a man with strong morals and a good heart. He also says he has full faith in his son to continue that work and that spirit, and even though his family is very controversial, I want to believe in the late king's judgement.

But yeah, hereditary monarchies ARE weird as fuck, but they can also be used for good.