Reflection 6: The Royal Treatment—If America Had a Royal Family

For many Americans, it is a point of pride that the United States has never had a monarchy. In fact, the mere idea of a royal family is generally considered un-American. Still, anti-monarchy sentiments are somewhat disingenuous because A) we are obsessed with the royal families of other countries, particularly Britain's and B) we celebrate so many dynastic American families as if they were true nobility (e.g. the Kennedys, Rockefellers). Additionally, we've elevated celebrities to the level of pseudo-royalty. Witness any major entertainment awards ceremony, and you'll see a parade of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. If we indeed have stand-in royalty in America, who are they? Who are those families and individuals that we regard as the British might their own royal family? And if the notion of royalty is so repugnant to American ideals, why are we so fascinated with them?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• The US May Have No Queen, but It Has More Royal Families than It Knows What to Do With" (Guardian) 
• "If the United States had a Royal Family, Which Family or Couple Would be Royalty?" (Reddit)
• "The Regal Republic: Why are Americans Obsessed with the Royal Family?" (Independent)
• "Piers Morgan: 'If You Love Our Royals so Much, America, Perhaps it's Time to Have a Monarchy of Your Own?" (Daily Mail)
• "America’s ‘Lost Monarchy’: The Man Who Would Be King" (Newsweek)
• "America’s Obsession With Royalty Started With Princess Diana" (New York Times)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• One full page in length
• Works cited page

Due:  Wed 10.28