What the coronations of maximalist George IV and (relatively) minimalist Charles III reveal about the British monarchy: Left: George, Prince Regent and Prince of Wales by Thomas Lawrence (1816). Right: Charles III photographed by Allan Warren (1972). Vatican Museums/Allan Warren, CC BY-SA When George III died in 1820, he was the longest-reigning monarch in British …
The British monarchy has always controlled how much we see of it, but Charles III could change that: The late author Hilary Mantel once wrote of Queen Elizabeth II that she was “a thing that existed to be looked at”. This became even truer in death. From the moment the sovereign left Balmoral Castle in …
Royal warrants are good for business – and benefit the British monarchy too: Shutterstock/chrisdorney When Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 2022, so too did 686 royal brand endorsements she had granted over the 70 years of her reign. Famous British products including Colman’s mustard, Twining’s tea and Weetabix all lost a valuable part …
From Queen Elizabeth to King Charles: how Northern Ireland’s unionists feel about the monarchy: Monarchism is embedded in Northern Ireland’s Ulster unionist identity. There is probably no such thing as a “republican unionist”. Many unionists descend from Protestant settlers from Britain who colonised Ireland four centuries ago. Loyalty to the monarch was an essential qualification …
How Queen Elizabeth II made the British monarchy into a global brand: Queen Elizabeth II was not just a monarch, she represented a global brand. And for the past seven decades, this brand has to some extent defined and promoted the British nation around the world. Brands are important corporate (or in this case national) …
King Charles inherits crown with support for monarchy at record low – but future not set in stone: The death of Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years on the throne has, of course, been met with widespread sadness and mourning. For most people in Britain, she is the only monarch they have known. Yet, inevitably, …
Charles III and the future of the UK monarchy: looking abroad for clues: King Charles III takes the throne at an uncertain time for the British monarchy. Republicanism is on the rise, both in the UK and across what is left of the Commonwealth. Meanwhile the withdrawal of three family members from royal duties – …
Queen Elizabeth II: a moderniser who steered the British monarchy into the 21st century: When the late historian Sir Ben Pimlott embarked on his 1996 biography, his colleagues expressed surprise that he should consider Queen Elizabeth II worthy of serious study at all. Yet Pimlott’s judgement proved sound and, if few academics have followed his …
Five ways the monarchy has benefited from colonialism and slavery: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s tour of the Caribbean for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been criticised over the royals’ connection to colonialism and slavery. An open letter by Jamaican public figures says: “We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension …
Platinum jubilee: the British monarchy has been in and out of public favour for 200 years: As Queen Elizabeth II approaches her platinum jubilee, the first British monarch to do so, the royal family is also facing a difficult time. Headlines on the upcoming trial of the Duke of York are competing with plans for …
Prince Andrew: the monarchy has a long history of dismissing women’s suffering: Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied claims of sexual assault, stemming from his friendship with convicted sex offender and underage sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Now, he faces a civil lawsuit in New York by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who claims Andrew sexually assaulted her …
Diana statue and the tension between the public and private British monarchy: One statue went up, another came down. As the sons of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, came together at Kensington Palace last week for the unveiling of the statue they had commissioned to commemorate their mother’s 60th birthday, a crowd in Canada …
Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview: why ‘royal confessionals’ threaten the monarchy: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese The Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey is shaping up to be the most published critique of the British monarchy in years. In it, Meghan confessed her suicidal feelings while pregnant as well as claims that someone in the royal family questioned …
Burger King ad strikes nerve with Belgian monarchy: Fast-food giant Burger King is in hot water with the Belgian royal family after an ad campaign asks, “Who is the king?” Reuters reports Burger King, which is set to launch in Belgium next month, is asking Belgians to vote online to “crown” the true ruler of …