13 Comments

I too have shifted my fangirl attitude to one more critical. I am less of a fan of King Charles and knowing that there will never be another Queen in my lifetime is saddening. I also have so much empathy, anger and frustration towards Harry and Megan and have been appalled at how they’ve been treat by “family.” I still think of Harry arriving to see his grandmother and his father and brother not reaching out or making a point to connect with him. Such classic dysfunctional family patterns and I don’t believe that William has done any emotional growth to truly be the next leader who has compassion and empathy for those he is to serve. Gosh seems harsh, but I’ve particularly lost my enthusiasm for Willam and Kate.

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May 21, 2023Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

“Answer to a prayer I didn’t know I had” what a great writer she is. Thanks for sharing.

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May 21, 2023Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

I think my appreciation has actually deepened and I find it all the more fascinating to observe. As a whole, I find the dynamics of power and popularity, and the paradox of modernizing an ancient institution, all within a family business so so interesting. I don’t judge as harshly some of the decisions because I’m not sure I would have made different ones had I been in their shoes (though I do see some as terrible calls that needed more care and consideration).

I’m Canadian, so I somewhat feel like that third sibling who has the British ties but proximity to the US and sort of understands where each culture is coming from and doesn’t understand how the others don’t get each other.

I am still a major Kate fan, and Meghan too, though I feel that waning. I find it so interesting that the comparisons continue even after they’ve gone their respective ways - it never would have ended, and that’s a tough place for everyone to be.

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I’m happy to be part of this community and appreciated Olayinka’s point of view and the comments above. Some of the Brits I know seem to think US folks watching the monarchy equals supporting/endorsing monarchy. And that is probably true in some cases. But for me it’s way more complex. It’s more about the social critique and commentary (which I believe fully includes the semiotics of fashion!) and that is why these newsletters from Elizabeth and others have been validating and interesting to me. And the excellent comments from the group are insightful and add a lot. This is a rare and precious thing going on here!❤️

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I did not watch the coronation. It has lost its luster. Andrew in full uniform was too much. Why was he allowed to wear it and not Harry? The family handled Megan as if it was still in the 1950’s. Charles anointed by God? I think not. Camilla no way. Not my role models.

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I've always liked 'teeth' with my celeb gossip. Back in the day, I read Laniey. Anne Helen Peterson has moved on from celebrity, but I also read Sara Petersen peeking behind the curtain of Momfluencers (and I don't even read any Momfluencers!)

Sometimes Twitter gets too conspiracy heavy with 'signs and signals' but there is just no way Kate and Rose Hanbury didn't know the Aquazutta shoes they wore had been worn by Meghan many times. And yes, I do want to know exactly who hired the paps who swarmed Harry and Meghan in NYC, and why haven't we seen the pics (because of the outcry? I believe the Daily Mail published them, only to delete). It seems obvious that these weren't the regular crew you might expect.

So I will continue to follow, but ask questions about who benefits from what coverage, and why.

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I would be interested in a historian’s perspective on how the monarchy has evolved at other critical points in its history. Surely it was different before Britain had an “empire;” perhaps it changed radically at the abdication or WWII?; having a coronation without the peers of the realm automatically in attendance seems another large change. I am more interested in the monarchy as an institution than in the dysfunctional family that currently holds royal titles. It’s hard to respect them given what we have learned not only from H&M but from independent observers as well. Symbols of power - be they royal or influencers with a large public following - are always interesting to watch. But I am more interested in the question of a hereditary monarchy in the modern world than in KC3…sort of akin to how the Catholic Church is evolving in the same moment.

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Thank you, Adebola, for such an inspiring essay. And that you, Elizabeth, for allowing me to be part of this group. I’ve been following Elizabeth’s works for years and I dab myself in writing a bit about the royals - mostly from a symbolic sand anthropological point of view, since it’s my trade, but as a South American whose mother tongue is Portuguese, I often feel very lonely. That’s part of what I felt so seen by Adebola’s text. I too started “following” the British royals for mainly fashion and gossip motives. I believe I am a bit older and I was a little girl so in love with Lady Diana. Especially post divorce Diana, a humanitarian advocate. I just loved her for leaving all that princess thing behind. Her death was such a shock. Then came a period of distancing till along came Kate. I liked her right away for no reason at all. Perhaps I am lying, I’ve been obsessing about her hair since the early 2000s, as a wavy haired brunette myself. But it was all very superficial. With social media, and after the period I lived in London for my phd, I went back to really “royal watching”, just in time for Meghan’s arrival, Andreas’s scandal, the Sussexes departure and all that. And of course I like the fashion and Kate’s hair. I also love Meghan’s style. But I’ve started reflecting and writing about them from an anthropological perspective and it’s been very liberating. I’ve never been a monarchist, but is so freeing to be able to honestly tackling the ambivalences and the conflict meanings behind all this performative power. Anyway. Thank you both for welcoming me to this group of such interesting people.

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What was the family’s reaction to the Gospel choir?

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This is a beautifully written article. Thank you so much for sharing.

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Thank you, Adebola, for your insightful commentary. Very much appreciated reading your thoughts.

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