question of the day: What is the appeal of Madame Tussauds?

Photographers and camera crews jostled for position on Wednesday morning as Madame Tussauds in London unveiled its Catherine and William engagement tableau.

...

Stephen Mansfield, who made the prince's head, has previously worked on waxworks such as David Cameron, the Duchess of Cornwall and David Beckham, said: "Visitors have been demanding this for ages, we do marketing work and the duke and duchess were right at the top of what people want to see."

I just don’t get it. Do people feel like they’ve actually seen a celebrity in person if they stand near a waxwork replica?

What is the appeal of Madame Tussauds?

Can someone explain it to me?

(If you have a suggestion for a QOTD, feel free to email me. Responses to this QOTD sent by email will be ignored; please post your responses here.)