Exactly that. The real power of kings was granting heraldry to the worthy.
Its why you see the fleur-de-lis on German heraldry, because German crusaders fought in the French king's line through the crusades. Real leadership elevates merit and everything, good and bad stands out in the view of everyone, real leadership doesn't hide in lodges and occulted societies where everyone hides their hands and only pushes actors and clowns out into the light.
People will emulate who is shown/elevated as meritorious in society , what people are emulating today is false leadership. Clowns, manipulators, meritless imposters.