King, Queen & Everything In Between: Why some Americans are obsessed with Royals
Heavy is the head that wears the crown...
King, Queen & Everything In Between: Why some Americans are obsessed with Royals
We learn about Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses in history classes, books, movies and tv. While many monarchies no longer exist, some do exist which makes it fascinating to those of us who live in countries where monarchies have never been or have been abolished. Some fellow Americans attitudes toward royal families have been this, America won a war against the English for the war of independence. Why should we care about the royals?
History, Scandals & Traditions
From King Henry VIII & his wives to Princess Diana vs the Royal Family and the media, to Hollywood actress Grace Kelley marrying the Prince of Monaco & giving up her Hollywood Career, to Prince Harry and Meghan choosing to step back, to Japanese Princesses Mako & Ayako, giving up the succession to marry for love, all of this comes across as not just history but even as a soap opera unfolding in real time. The history and traditions are nothing like the Disney classic films. Theres’s coronations, royal weddings, funerals that have taken place for centuries or even millennia, and they must be adhered to. In the past, monarchs held absolute power. Nowadays, royals are largely figureheads, and it is expected that they do not involve themselves in politics. So much of the fascination is now centered on castles, luxury lifestyles and representing a completely different life from the rest of us, one that differs from that of a typical actor or singer.
Media Coverage & Modern Fascination
Today, royal families aren’t just historical figures, they are global celebrities. What has brought royals to even grander exposure is constant media coverage, documentaries & shows like The Crown, where the lives of royals are more public now than they’ve ever been. Royals even have social media accounts which allow the rest of the world to view royal events, fashion and personal moments in real time. For some Americans, this transforms royalty from something read in textbooks and a distant institution into something intimate, engaging and entertaining. I personally enjoy seeing the fashions Princess Kate & Princess Kako in England and Japan wear. Royals are celebrities in the sense that centuries of tradition are behind them, whereas an actor or singer needs to work to get their name out there.
Impressed & Not Impressed
Not all Americans, as well as even citizens even living in countries with monarchies, are impressed with royal families. Some view monarchies as outdated institutions that serve no purpose. Others question the wealth and privilege and what these people have. The royals don’t live in a world most of us live in. Admiration and criticism go hand in hand and make the public interest stronger. Royals are admired and debated. While America’s fascination with royals might seem contradictory considering we fought a war of independence from the British monarchy, we continue to watch from a far. Part of the reason is we can elect leaders who will be in office for 4 sometimes 8 years and once those years are over, someone new replaces them. Royals remain in power until the day they die and their children take over the power and titles passed down generation after generation. Royals represent a world that is both real and unreal, rooted in history, tradition, & drama. Whether viewed as historical figures, celebrities or symbols of a life many could only dream of, one thing is clear: fascination with kings, queens & everything in between isn’t going away anytime soon.