The British monarchy is one of the oldest in the world and therefore stands out due to its historical and traditional values. Although it seems that voices are often raised against the monarchical institution favouring the process of Europeanisation and the implementation of republicanism, opinion polls indicate that the British population and the citizens of the Commonwealth are in favour of a constitutional monarchy. This approval is apparent from mediatised public royal events as well as the reporting on royal matters. The
public responds quite lively to such occasions, which indicates that the interest in the British monarchy still dominates the minds of the British and a worldwide population.
The fame of the British monarchy is mainly due to a politically
conservative British media system, which unreservedly supports the status quo and determinedly speaks out against arising tendencies of republicanism or trade unions (cf. Blain and O’Donnell 2003: 3). This behaviour of the British media has become both beneficial and disadvantageous for its subjects throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, as the lives of the Royal Family’s members have been extensively depicted
in positive as well as in negative ways, which has led to an increased accessibility of a social circle whose private life is otherwise shielded from the public’s attention. Therefore, it may be argued that the British monarchy and the media maintain a beneficial relationship, which is, however, rendered controversial if the unpleasant incidents in which the British media were involved are taken into account. As consumption is a characteristic of a postmodern society and culture, the media’s targeted audience and its hunger for news of any kind is difficult to satisfy and is further prevented by a growing media industry (cf. Blain and O’Donnell 2003: 19), which
“’serves a need’ by spending so much time on, and devoting so much space to, royal phenomena” (Blain and O’Donnell 2003: 60). [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Mediating a Royal Household: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations
- Public Relations
- Social Networks
- Mass Media Images
- A Brief History of the British Royal Family Since 1917
- The Windsors in Mass Media
- The Official Website of the British Monarchy
- The British Monarchy on Facebook and Twitter
- Mass Media Representations of British Royalty in Newspapers
- Mass Media Events Within the British Monarchy Since 1997
- The Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
- The Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
- The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the popularity and unique characteristics of the British monarchy since 1997, focusing on its interaction with public relations, social media, and mass media representations. It examines how the monarchy has adapted to a changing media landscape and the impact of significant events on its public image.
- The relationship between the British monarchy and the media.
- The role of public relations in shaping the monarchy's image.
- The impact of social media on the monarchy's communication strategy.
- The portrayal of the Royal Family in mass media, including newspapers and online platforms.
- The influence of major royal events on public perception and media coverage.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the enduring popularity of the British monarchy despite occasional calls for republicanism. It highlights the media's crucial role in shaping public perception, noting both the benefits and drawbacks of this relationship. The chapter contrasts the Royal Family's current media engagement with that of previous generations, emphasizing the shift towards a more public-facing, "aesthetically" driven image, influenced significantly by the late Princess Diana and the evolving media landscape. The development of a "firm"-like image for the monarchy, balancing public interest with private life, is also introduced as a key theme.
Mediating a Royal Household: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations: This chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis by outlining the theoretical frameworks and methodologies used to study the relationship between the Royal Family and the media. It explores the concepts of public relations, the influence of social networks, and the power of mass media images in shaping the monarchy's public image. The chapter establishes the analytical lenses through which subsequent chapters will examine the monarchy's media engagement.
A Brief History of the British Royal Family Since 1917: This chapter provides historical context, tracing the evolution of the British monarchy's relationship with the public and media from 1917 onwards. It sets the stage for understanding the contemporary dynamics by examining key historical events and shifts in public sentiment toward the Royal Family. This historical overview forms the basis for analyzing the subsequent developments in the monarchy’s media strategies and public image.
The Windsors in Mass Media: This chapter delves into the specific ways the Royal Family utilizes various mass media platforms. It analyzes the official website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, examining their content, strategies, and impact on public engagement. It also explores how newspapers and other mass media outlets portray the Royal Family, highlighting the range of representations, from positive to negative, and their effects on public opinion. The chapter showcases the strategic use of different media platforms by the monarchy.
Mass Media Events Within the British Monarchy Since 1997: This chapter examines the monarchy's handling of significant media events since 1997, such as Princess Diana's death, Prince William's wedding, and Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. It analyzes how these events were covered by the media, their impact on the monarchy's image, and the strategies employed to manage public perception during periods of heightened media scrutiny. The chapter demonstrates the evolving relationship between the monarchy and the media in the face of significant events and changing public sentiments.
Keywords
British Monarchy, Royal Family, Public Relations, Social Media, Mass Media, Media Representation, Public Image, Media Events, Princess Diana, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II, Constitutional Monarchy, Reputation Management, Modernization, Tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the British Monarchy and its Media Engagement
What is the main focus of this text?
This text explores the relationship between the British monarchy and the media since 1997. It analyzes how the monarchy utilizes public relations, social media, and mass media representations to shape its public image and adapt to a changing media landscape. The impact of significant events on the monarchy's public perception is a central theme.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes an introduction, a chapter on theoretical and methodological considerations for analyzing the monarchy's media engagement, a brief history of the British Royal Family since 1917, an analysis of the monarchy's use of mass media platforms (website, social media, newspapers), and a study of how the monarchy handled significant media events since 1997 (e.g., Diana's death, William's wedding, Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee).
What are the key objectives and themes of the analysis?
The main objective is to understand the popularity and unique characteristics of the British monarchy since 1997, focusing on its interaction with public relations, social media, and mass media. Key themes include the relationship between the monarchy and the media, the role of public relations in shaping its image, the impact of social media on its communication strategy, the portrayal of the Royal Family in mass media, and the influence of major royal events on public perception and media coverage.
What are the key findings or arguments presented in each chapter (summarized)?
The Introduction sets the stage by discussing the monarchy's enduring popularity and the crucial role of the media in shaping public perception. Mediating a Royal Household outlines the theoretical frameworks used for the analysis. A Brief History provides historical context from 1917 onwards. The Windsors in Mass Media analyzes the monarchy's use of various platforms (official website, social media, newspapers). Mass Media Events examines the monarchy's handling of significant events since 1997, analyzing media coverage and the impact on public image.
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include: British Monarchy, Royal Family, Public Relations, Social Media, Mass Media, Media Representation, Public Image, Media Events, Princess Diana, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II, Constitutional Monarchy, Reputation Management, Modernization, Tradition.
What is the intended audience for this text?
The intended audience appears to be academics or researchers interested in public relations, media studies, and the British monarchy. The structured and professional approach suggests it is intended for academic use, possibly as a research paper or part of a larger academic work.
What is the overall methodology used in the analysis?
The text employs a combination of historical analysis, media analysis (examining content and strategies across different platforms), and theoretical frameworks from public relations and media studies. Specific methodologies are detailed in the "Mediating a Royal Household" chapter.
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- Philipp Ditter (Autor:in), 2013, Mediating the Royal Family, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/288264
