# What is the fascination with the British Royals? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386 "2013-02-25T23:55:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/1 "2013-02-25T23:55:05Z")
No disrespect to our British and Commonwealth dopers, but what gives? It seems every evening newscast in the US has someone breathlessly describing how wonderful Kate Middleton looks in her pregnancy, and describing, almost as breathlessly, how eagerly the public is awaiting the birth of the next royal. From what I can tell, there are people whose livelihoods are dependent on keeping an eye on the Royals - the “Royal Watchers”. On the darker side, the British press seem to be pursuing Kate with equal abandon as they did with Diana. They are even following her sister, who is not even a Royal. To an American, the celebrity of the Royals seems out of place. What, exactly, does Kate “do”? While William and his brother, I forget his name, seem to be employed, or at least occupied, for the time being, by the British military, it seems many of the Royals are akin the Kardashians here in the US - useless, but pretty to look at. I do not dislike the British Royals, but whenever these stories come on, I ask myself, “who cares?”. Again, no disrespect, but I am not getting the fascination - please help fight my ignorance. Are Royal families in other countries tracked in the press as widely as the British Royals? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/2 "2013-02-26T00:18:19Z")
Do evening newscasts in the U.S. really cover the “story” that much? I thought it was a supermarket tabloid thing. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/3 "2013-02-26T00:27:25Z")
I don’t think any other royals are tracked like that. A friend of mine mentioned meeting a king of one of the Scandinavian countries at a stamp collectors’ (of which my friend is one) convention. He was just an ordinary guy in a business suit, no guards or royal pomp. I think it may be all that pomp that has that result. A Swiss friend of mine told me that the Swiss also follow the British royals just as closely. Actually, as I think on it, I suspect the Japanese emperor is followed as closely. And he lives a life just as hermetically closed as the Queen. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/4 "2013-02-26T10:02:39Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > No disrespect to our British and Commonwealth dopers, but what gives? It seems every evening newscast in the US has someone breathlessly describing how wonderful Kate Middleton looks in her pregnancy, and describing, almost as breathlessly, how eagerly the public is awaiting the birth of the next royal. Firstly, you are describing the US media. You imply in your opening statement that the royal obsession is a British/Commonwealth thing and then go on to show that the obsession is way beyond our borders. > [@snowthx](#): > > From what I can tell, there are people whose livelihoods are dependent on keeping an eye on the Royals - the “Royal Watchers”. No doubt there are, just like there are celebrity watchers who want to know how much weight Beyonce has gained this week. People are strange. > [@snowthx](#): > > On the darker side, the British press seem to be pursuing Kate with equal abandon as they did with Diana. They are even following her sister, who is not even a Royal. This is not true. the British press have been very respectful (not something they are noted for). It is the press beyond our borders who track her mercilessly – Italian magazines paid for her topless photos, for example, the British press refused to print them. > [@snowthx](#): > > To an American, the celebrity of the Royals seems out of place. What, exactly, does Kate “do”? While William and his brother, I forget his name, seem to be employed, or at least occupied, for the time being, by the British military, it seems many of the Royals are akin the Kardashians here in the US - useless, but pretty to look at. Firstly, William and \*Harry \*are not merely ‘occupied’ by the military, they are full serving officers. Harry has just returned from his second tour of Afghanistan. William is a search and rescue pilot. Beyond that, the royal family have the most boring jobs in the world. If you want to know, look up the Court Circular, which details their daily appointments – an endless round of building opening, hand shaking, diplomat meeting, speech making, ugh. They aren’t sat at home watching daytime TV. Essentially, they represent charities internally, and our country externally. > [@snowthx](#): > > I do not dislike the British Royals, but whenever these stories come on, I ask myself, “who cares?”. Again, no disrespect, but I am not getting the fascination - please help fight my ignorance. You don’t have to care. Many people in the UK don’t care either. But a big event like the Royal wedding acts as a kind of national celebration, a coming together of the people for a party. It’s fun. > [@snowthx](#): > > Are Royal families in other countries tracked in the press as widely as the British Royals? No idea within their own countries, but globally, no. I have no idea why. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/5 "2013-02-26T13:10:02Z")
People obsess over lives that seem to be fantasy - being a Prince or Princess is such a life. As does being wealthy or being a movie star. I don’t get why people care about the Superbowl - or really any sporting event - yet apparently its a huge deal that people obsess over. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/6 "2013-02-26T16:34:50Z")
Many fairy tales and many books and movies have used the story of the King and Queen and the lovely Princess and handsome Prince - we have heard these stories our entire lives. Who wouldn’t want to meet Prince Charming or the Beautiful Princess and settle down in the lap of luxury and live happily ever after?! So - I guess because there is no real royalty here, it is easier for us to project our own fantasies on the “Cinderella/Cinderfella” story and live vicariously. Of course, seeing Harry’s dick in Las Vegas might take a bit of the enchantment out of the fairy tale, but it doesn’t mean the glorious myth of living happily ever after in the royal castle has disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/7 "2013-02-26T16:50:24Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > … it seems many of the Royals are akin the Kardashians here in the US - useless, but pretty to look at. This is how I see our fascination with British Royalty, someone for the tabloids to write about. Now imagine that Kim Kardashian and family actually had hereditary powers outlined in the Constitution. That would be some whacky highjinks we could all talk about for generations. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/8 "2013-02-26T17:02:24Z")
Also, everyone enjoys a spectacle. Look at how people endlessly discuss the dresses at the oscars, then look at[this](http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=royal+wedding&hl=en&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB503GB504&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=VeosUZyuA7Oy0AXWsYG4CA&ved=0CGYQsAQ&biw=1719&bih=1301#hl=en&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB503GB504&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=royal+wedding+procession&oq=royal+wedding+procession&gs_l=img.3..0i24l3.12281.14439.0.14708.11.5.0.6.6.0.52.229.5.5.0...0.0...1c.1.4.img.52MAP3x5Ja0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42965579,d.d2k&fp=5f2dee29b34ef614&biw=1719&bih=1301). It’s bonkers! ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/9 "2013-02-26T17:54:18Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > William and his brother, I forget his name, seem to be employed, or at least occupied, for the time being, by the British military, it seems many of the Royals are akin the Kardashians here in the US - useless, but pretty to look at. I’m no royalist but you are being flippant to the point of unfairness here. Both William and Harry served and serve in the military. In proper “harms way” to the extent that they run the same risk of death on duty as any other soldier/pilot. It is to their credit that they make the choice to do this. One wonders whether a USA president would allow their children to do the same in this day and age? Front line soldier in Afghanistan?..I think not. As for media coverage of the rest of them? I have no idea and have no interest. It passes me by on the coverage here (UK) and I’d be surprised if it were that gushing and fawning in the states but…what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/10 "2013-02-26T19:33:11Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Of course, seeing Harry’s dick in Las Vegas might take a bit of the enchantment out of the fairy tale Nah, just think of it as an update on the Emperors New Clothes! ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/11 "2013-02-26T19:58:42Z")
Let’s be honest here, the US media tracks the spouse & family of the President just the same. Michelle Obama (and Laura Bush before her, etc, etc) has no real authority or power, but we like commenting on what she is wearing and making them into celebrities for being related to someone powerful (though with British royals the someone with real power is an ancestor ;)). ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/12 "2013-02-26T20:51:02Z")
The Royals are an endangered species - cute, maybe a little dangerous if you get too close, probably couldn’t survive without outside intervention. They’re not really good for anything, like Giant Pandas or Koalas, but they’re unique in their own way and it would be sad if they went extinct. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/13 "2013-02-27T00:02:01Z")
Now why would an inadequate commoner even ask such a question? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/14 "2013-02-27T02:59:28Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I’m no royalist but you are being flippant to the point of unfairness here. Guilty as charged. I should have said it differently. It was reported that Harry thought being in a war zone was like playing a video game, was it not? I guess even if the Royals pursue activities that regular people do, they are so guilded and protected that it gives the appearance that they are doing it for appearances only. It’s not like there is anything going on where people say “you know, we cannot do this without one of the Royals here.” Well, except royal weddings and pomp and ceremony and such. **SanVito** - thanks for the response - I did not appreciate the differences between the British and Italian press treatment of Kate. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fascination-with-the-british-royals/651386/15 "2013-02-27T04:41:04Z")
They’re fun. As an American I can watch them without paying for them. 😃