Ad Hudler - Ad Libbing

The royal wedding: color me "confused."
Friday, April 29, 2011

I'm confused about Americans' fascination with the royal family of England. Adoration of such a thing seems anathema to our country's collective personality:

1. There was this thing called an American Revolution ... unfair taxation and all that. Boston Tea Party? Redcoats kicking our ass on our own territory.

2. Americans' entire country is based on the idea of egalitarianism. Though it's really not true, we at least like to think that we're all equal, that every man and woman has the same potential for power and greatness. The entire idea of a monarchy, and what it stands for, is in direct opposition to that.

3. Americans, for the most part, have a distrust of things European. We tend to roll our eyes at them, just as they roll their eyes at us.

4. Americans believe in hard work, not in things being handed to them on a silver platter.

So why this fascination with the royal family? Is it because we're a (lovingly) vulgar, rag-tag, mutt-like mix of humanity ... and the royal family helps to elevate us in some way?

Do this young nation crave a deeper sense of history and tradition?

Does the royal family take us back to our childhood, and all those books about princes and princesses?

It's surely not that they're attractive. I mean, the girls (Diana and Kate) these boys are bringing into the family are cute, but the royal family itself is looking a little inbred these days, dontcha think? I mean, they all look like various farmyard animals: horses, etc.

I just don't get it. Enlighten me, please. What is the allure behind the royal family?

5 Comments:

Libby McMillan said...: Maybe it's a chick thing. ;-) We love princes and princesses, pomp and circumstance, mystery (what's in the queen's purse?), drama, tragedy ... and the Royal Family provides ALL this, set in an iconic and beautiful setting ... London. PLUS there is Diana ... the beautiful, naive girl who was impossible not to love ... who met her tragic end far too soon ... whose sweet little boys adored her and were shattered at her death ... knowing that Will put off this wedding for years, worried that his bride could meet the same horrific fate as his mum ... and then succumbing to love and taking the beautiful girl as his bride. (sniff sniff). Reporters just said this wedding has 20X the global audience of the superbowl. Maybe it also has to do with a longing for civility.; April 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Ad Hudler said...: Libby: I think you captured the truth in that last sentence. Very good insights, thanks.; April 29, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Beth Wilson said...: Yes, the royals are looking a bit inbred. Thank goodness that Prince William decided to bring in fresh genetics! I mean this is a family that has basically had no new blood for 350 years! That has to do something to the family! (Have you noticed Charles' ears???)
I think the reason we are so facinated with all this royal wedding stuff is 3 fold: 1. We love Fairy Tales 2. We appreciate making fun of ridiculous hats (Princess Eugenie Wins the "Ugly Hat" Contest) and 3. It is the ultimate fantasy wedding so it's fun to watch to agree or mock the wedding choices. Just m humble opinion!; April 29, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Ad Hudler said...: Beth: Well said. Hadn't considered the hat.; April 29, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Terisa said...: Have you ever been to England, Ad? It is such a beautiful place. Chris and I lived there for 4 yrs while our dad was stationed in the Air Force. Pretty much the only reason I watched the royal wedding that morning. Kind of wanted to see how much had changed, smiling. Hope you are doing well these days and looking forward to your next book.; May 11, 2011 at 3:36 PM