By Ana Martin
Opinions editor
There are those who claim it is ironic that, in the United States—the nation famous for revolting against monarchial rule—the public seems to be becoming increasingly obsessed with British royal family. This Anglophilia has even touched the Shorter campus, and not just among English majors.
The United Kingdom continues to be one of the university’s most popular places to study abroad, and many of these students readily verify the growing popularity of the royals on this side of the Atlantic.
Regarding the supposed origin of this infatuation, senior International studies major Dani Fairbairn comments that, “I think the obsession comes from the fact that we don’t have (a monarchy).”
Similarly, English and liberal arts professor Dr. Kathi Vosevich, who recently led a study abroad group in London, notes that, “Americans don’t fully comprehend the concept of royalty and divine right. We see them as movie stars, and until you get there you don’t see the pomp and circumstance that almost equates to worship.”
Vosevich also thinks that the popularity of the royals caters to the millennial generation’s “widespread idea of being a princess.”
When asked whether or not she thought this fascination with British royalty was positive or negative for American society, senior English major Darlene Griffin, who studied abroad for a full semester in England, notes that, “I don’t think it’s harmful…but I do think it’s weird that we care more about their fairy-tale lives than our own.”
The students who studied abroad also noted that the glamorous image Americans often associate with the royals is interpreted somewhat differently in the U.K.
As Vosevich describes, the royals “are symbolic to the British, but that symbolism is rooted in respect.” And a part of this deeply rooted respect is connected to the British monarchy’s tradtional relationship with the Anglican church.
In reference to the queen’s mostly symbolic role as head of the Anglican church, Vosevich comments that “she is a a good figure head of the church.”
Moreover, it appears as though this trend is here to stay with the recent birth of Prince George, the child of Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and who is now third in line to the throne.
Fairbairn makes the point that “people will be wanting to watch him grow up. And even if you don’t like the monarchy, who doesn’t like a baby?” Additionally, Vosevich adds that American admiration of the crown will only grow “as long as we have socially conscious rulers.”
