One critical element of this appeal is the family’s “permanent celebrity” status. “Celebrities come and go, pop stars fade; entertainers, television stars, movie stars fade,” says James Vaughn, a historian of Britain at the University of Chicago.
“But the royal family persists.”
Besides inhabiting the rarest stratum of fame, the Queen appealed across the Atlantic because she could — and did — stay firmly above the fray of politics. Among Americans, there’s a “sneaking admiration for the fact that British politics separates head of state and head of government,” says Vaughn.
“In England, the monarch lives in a palace but the Prime Minister lives in a townhouse on Downing Street. Our White House is more like a palace than a townhouse and our President can act more like an imperious king than any Prime Minister ever could,” adds Elisa Tamarkin, author of Anglophilia: Deference, Devotion, and Antebellum America.
“Monarchy in England is there only for the display.”
Indeed, the Queen took that head of state role “very, very seriously,” says Vaughn. Oyster-like in refraining from controversial comments, the Queen resembled a “blank slate,” adds Mcguire.
“The thing about celebrity blank slates is that the admirer can write just about anything they want to on that slate. […] They can identify with that person in any way they want.”
Come on. I have nothing against the woman, and I respect people who are in mourning, but it’s a massive waste of money.
Americans TALK about respecting people who are “rugged individuals” who “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” but in reality they are enamored of people who just inherit tons of money and authority, and did nothing to earn it.
The dude from FL Premium Member about 2 years ago
It’s a money making scam, tradition. Brings in a lot of pounds. In the USA… we have Disney World
braindead Premium Member about 2 years ago
Over here, we worship bone spurs.
rossevrymn about 2 years ago
Here goes Stanti with the depressy………………..No, Stanti, there’s plenty of people over here serving with dignity and honor, cut the b.s.
Silly Season about 2 years ago
One critical element of this appeal is the family’s “permanent celebrity” status. “Celebrities come and go, pop stars fade; entertainers, television stars, movie stars fade,” says James Vaughn, a historian of Britain at the University of Chicago.
“But the royal family persists.”
Besides inhabiting the rarest stratum of fame, the Queen appealed across the Atlantic because she could — and did — stay firmly above the fray of politics. Among Americans, there’s a “sneaking admiration for the fact that British politics separates head of state and head of government,” says Vaughn.
“In England, the monarch lives in a palace but the Prime Minister lives in a townhouse on Downing Street. Our White House is more like a palace than a townhouse and our President can act more like an imperious king than any Prime Minister ever could,” adds Elisa Tamarkin, author of Anglophilia: Deference, Devotion, and Antebellum America.
“Monarchy in England is there only for the display.”
Indeed, the Queen took that head of state role “very, very seriously,” says Vaughn. Oyster-like in refraining from controversial comments, the Queen resembled a “blank slate,” adds Mcguire.
“The thing about celebrity blank slates is that the admirer can write just about anything they want to on that slate. […] They can identify with that person in any way they want.”
~
https:
//www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/08/king-charles-activist-unpopular-america-00055757
Ignatz Premium Member about 2 years ago
Come on. I have nothing against the woman, and I respect people who are in mourning, but it’s a massive waste of money.
Americans TALK about respecting people who are “rugged individuals” who “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” but in reality they are enamored of people who just inherit tons of money and authority, and did nothing to earn it.
WestNYC Premium Member about 2 years ago
Americans would be much less enamored with royalty if we actually had some.
198.23.5.11 about 2 years ago
WE’ve got plenty who THINK they are.
Decius Premium Member about 2 years ago
“Honor and duty” — is that what they call what Prince Andrew was up to with Epstein and his very young girls?
Free Radical about 2 years ago
The royals are a diversionary soap opera that sells tourism and trinkets. Honor and duty?
Andrew Bosch Premium Member about 2 years ago
Honor and duty maybe. The royal family’s ancestors were known for being extremely nasty at times.