Analysis | Why Americans are obsessed with the royal family

Whether it’s fashion trends, a meme of the Queen or a feud between princesses, Americans cannot get enough of the royal family. Above, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Kate Middleton at the Trooping of the Colour Parade in 2019. WikiCommons

The memory still sticks with me. On April 29, 2011, at 10 years old, I turned on my television to watch the anticipated wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, grandson of the iconic Queen of England.

Middleton was a nobody at that time. But as I rolled out of bed in my Cinderella pajamas and stared in awe at the screen to see Kate in a stunning white gown with a 9-foot train, I, young Megan, made a vow to become a princess one day. I read books on William and Kate’s relationship, learned how to curtsey and even started speaking in a British accent with my close friends. Although I have yet to become a real princess, the dream — and an ever-growing obsession with the royal family — have remained to this day. 

Last week, as I was getting my daily dose of Meghan Markle drama from E! News and reading tributes to the late Prince Philip, I wondered: Why am I so obsessed with this family? Why do I gossip about them like they’re my own relatives? Why am I so giddy when a new royal baby is born, and why do I whimper like a dork when a family member passes away or a divorce ensues?

I sought out to answer this question — to see if there were others like me who constantly need to know what Queen Elizabeth eats in a day or reminisce about Princess Diana’s jaw-dropping fashion looks. 

Erin Craw, a communication instructor at Chapman University, explained the obsession as a parasocial relationship — a one-sided relationship where one side “oohs and ahhs” with admiration and the other side does nothing in return. 

“A parasocial relationship just means one person is (feeling affection) where the other person has no clue,” Craw said. “As much as we would love to believe the royal family knows how much we love them, they don’t. They don’t feel that same way towards us because they don’t know us.”

After the infamous March 7 Oprah and Meghan Markle interview sparked a media frenzy, Craw explained Markle’s genuine self-disclosure to the public may have increased people’s parasocial relationships toward her even more. Since these develop over time, similar to any other relationship, seeing the royal family’s values in dealing with conflict can elicit further empathy. 

“Liking increased with the level of the connection,” Craw said. “The more that we continue to follow the royal family, the more you continue to admire them or feel like you identify with the values that they hold. Because we have so much access to them, that is going to increase over time and enhance our feelings of being connected to them.” 

So there is a psychological explanation for our obsession. Yet, from a historical perspective, Chapman history professor William Cumiford is befuddled as to why Americans fawn over this monarchy — one that was reviled by the U.S. in the 18th century.  

“If you and I were to take a time machine and go back 230 years during the time of the revolution and the Constitution, Americans at that time were not at all happy with the kingship or the monarchy; they hated it and hated it for a long time,” Cumiford said.

Americans’ feelings have since changed. Olivia Foreman, a junior business administration and religious studies double major, told The Panther she feels connected to the family because of its emphasis on building a strong relationship with children, parallel to Foreman’s upbringing. 

“With Princess Diana, I’ve always really been interested in her,” Foreman said. “When I think of the royal family, especially where Prince William and Harry are now, I tie a lot of their experiences and how they have conducted themselves as a result of their mom. I love Princess Diana.” 

However, sophomore business administration major Cara Bates doesn’t understand the curiosity in the family whatsoever, despite growing up in the United Kingdom and spending most of her life in America. Bates thinks the U.S. needlessly fantasizes the royal family.

“They are not celebrities,” Bates said. “Everyone grows up watching Disney movies and associates royal families with princes and princesses … A lot of people think that they are our Kardashians, but they are not. They live very secret, private lives.” 

Whether you love them or hate them, the royal family will always be in some sort of spotlight. And while they may not be perfect, Craw said the royal family has been given a platform to create good in the world to inspire others, including philanthropy and volunteer work.

“My little cousins really look up to that and really like to think they are a princess or they are a queen,” Craw said. “If you are able to use that in a good way, that media is an incredible tool for empowering other people.