British Royalty and the Media


Figure 1.--.

A study of how the media has portrayed the British monarchy is an interesting one. The relationship between the media and the British monarchy is a topic that needs to be addressed in greater detail. We are especially interested in how Victoria and Albert changed the image, virtually redefining the image of the monarchy in the 19th century which as an unintended result had a huge impact on boys' fashions. We note an interesting conference on the media and the monarchy held in London during the May 2002. No doubt they will focus on the modern royals, but hopefully they will also discuss the 19th century in some detail.

Individual Monarchs

We are especially interested in how Victoria and Albert, but the media was also given considerable attention by other monarchs. The media's attitude toward the royals has changed considerably over the years.

Victoria and Albert

We are especially interested in how Victoria and Albert changed the image, virtually redefining the image of the monarchy in the 19th century. This was perhaps one of the most successful modern efforts by any royals to manipulate the media. It had the unintended result, a huge impact on boys' fashions.

Edward VII

The daliances of the Prince of Wales were reported in British newspapers, much to his parents embarassment. Bertie, unlike his older sioster, was an extremly difficulr child. None of this appeared in the British nedia. When Berie became a young adult, he became even more difficult to control. Prince Albert tried to explain to Bertie that he could undo his and his mother's success in changing the image of the monarchy, but with little success. Prince Albert in fact got sick after one such trip to counsel his son and died within a month. This was part of te reason that after Albert's death that Victoria refused to give Bertie any real respnsibility. His wife, Quenn Alexandria, is notable for her acceptance of his philanderong and even invited one of his mistresses to his deathbed. None of this was reported in the British media.

George V


Edward VIII

The media was very circumspect in its treatment of the extremely popular Prince of Wales. The British public was told little of his daliances. Even Mrs. Simpson was not mentioned in the British papers at a time when she was big news in American newspapers.

George VI


Elizabeth II


Academic Conference

We note an interesting conference on the media and the monarchy held in London during the May 2002. The conference is entitled "Royal ritual in the media age". The planners report that they will "... examine the impact of film, television and the mass-market image on the British monarchy since the 19th century". No doubt they will focus on the modern royals, but hopefully they will also discuss the 19th century in some detail.




Christopher Wagner








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Created: February 26, 1999
Last updated: March 17, 2002