The popularity of the British monarchy has undoubtedly been subject to gradual erosion, most notably during the post-war era. With British society becoming relatively more egalitarian than yesteryear and with the rise of republicanism, it would suggest the British monarchy is no longer revered to the extent it once was. However, the royal wedding, and the accompanying scenes of royal wedding mania across the UK, has gone some way to refute this.
The late Princess Diana was hugely popular with the British public. This was particularly notable given it was during a period of waning popularity for the House of Windsor. That public adoration has seemingly been passed on to her sons, both of whom have inherited their mother’s humility, ability to connect with the public and a desire to champion charitable causes. Therefore it is unsurprising that Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton has generated an unprecedented interest and adoration for the royal family since the turn of the twenty-first century.
As a UK resident, the fanfare and media frenzy in the build up to and during the royal wedding has been overwhelming and at times mildly amusing. According to the Guardian, at least 1 million spectators flocked to the streets of central London, many congregating outside Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace or lining the wedding procession route. Street parties around the UK celebrated the royal wedding and some of the kitsch souvenirs to commemorate the wedding have included sick bags and an aptly named line of condoms. Clearly this is an event that has captured much of the country.
Of course, the republican voices of disdain for the royal family, particularly during an event of such magnitude that was largely funded by the public purse, have not been silent. Indeed, Republic, a group that seeks the abolition of the British monarchy, held their own alternative "Not the Royal Wedding" street party in London. However, overall, such sentiments have certainly been dwarfed by those of the pro-wedding masses.
In times of such austerity in the UK, further criticism of the royal wedding could have been anticipated. Juxtaposed with the pomp and splendor of the event, an aberration in everyday scenes of modern Britain, the wedding could certainly have attracted much disdain. However, conversations about the royal wedding overheard in public, numerous tweets and comments appended to online reporting of the wedding have merely been punctuated by the aforementioned rather than taking centre stage. Patriotism and a high regard for Prince William and his new bride have on this occasion trumped the subject of austerity and republican rhetoric.
How long this revived public euphoria for the royal family will last is uncertain and it is likely to be focused on the newly wed royal couple themselves. However, the royal wedding has certainly provided the royal family with somewhat of a PR victory and galvanized their supporters. It might even result in impeding calls for republicanism in Britain; a dou
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The late Princess Diana was hugely popular with the British public. This was particularly notable given it was during a period of waning popularity for the House of Windsor. That public adoration has seemingly been passed on to her sons, both of whom have inherited their mother’s humility, ability to connect with the public and a desire to champion charitable causes. Therefore it is unsurprising that Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton has generated an unprecedented interest and adoration for the royal family since the turn of the twenty-first century.
As a UK resident, the fanfare and media frenzy in the build up to and during the royal wedding has been overwhelming and at times mildly amusing. According to the Guardian, at least 1 million spectators flocked to the streets of central London, many congregating outside Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace or lining the wedding procession route. Street parties around the UK celebrated the royal wedding and some of the kitsch souvenirs to commemorate the wedding have included sick bags and an aptly named line of condoms. Clearly this is an event that has captured much of the country.
Of course, the republican voices of disdain for the royal family, particularly during an event of such magnitude that was largely funded by the public purse, have not been silent. Indeed, Republic, a group that seeks the abolition of the British monarchy, held their own alternative "Not the Royal Wedding" street party in London. However, overall, such sentiments have certainly been dwarfed by those of the pro-wedding masses.
In times of such austerity in the UK, further criticism of the royal wedding could have been anticipated. Juxtaposed with the pomp and splendor of the event, an aberration in everyday scenes of modern Britain, the wedding could certainly have attracted much disdain. However, conversations about the royal wedding overheard in public, numerous tweets and comments appended to online reporting of the wedding have merely been punctuated by the aforementioned rather than taking centre stage. Patriotism and a high regard for Prince William and his new bride have on this occasion trumped the subject of austerity and republican rhetoric.
How long this revived public euphoria for the royal family will last is uncertain and it is likely to be focused on the newly wed royal couple themselves. However, the royal wedding has certainly provided the royal family with somewhat of a PR victory and galvanized their supporters. It might even result in impeding calls for republicanism in Britain; a dou
