Been looking around for the Raleigh Royal too but not stores seem to have it... only on-line sites.
According to a few reports on-line the Royal was discontinued due to a design fault. So that's why no stores are stocking them.
Had a go on a bike with drop bars for 10 miles today and must admit it was better than I remembered... maybe the Raleigh AIRLine 100 or similar is the way to go, and then fit mudguards for the winter.