Why are the Windsors more popular then other royal families?

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Its not that they speak English and other families don't (they do), its that the British Empire/Commonwealth spread the English language around the world providing a historic/cultural link that other European royal families don't have to the same extend. The only family comparable would be the Spanish royal family due to their historic links with Latin America.

That though doesn't explain why they are so popular just because they are British, which is what prinz_von_buzim explained. They spread the English language across the globe, by founding an Empire.

[prinz_von_buzim]

Do you people really think that it's because they ruled big part of the world? Russia is the biggest country in world, and Russian Empire was even bigger, and where is russian influence? Russian influence stayed only in countries which belonged to Russia once. But none of European countries has ever belonged to British Empire, and Windsor family is still the most popular and the best known. So I think it is not because of historical influence but because of modern influence. Popularity of British family have roots in general popularity and supremacy of anglo-american culture which is spread through music and movies.

[Charlotte_Aster]

That's what I meant NGalitzine, when I said because they speak english. Most of the international news circulated in the world come from agencies with English as their lingua franca, thus they serve primarily news regarding the Windsors. It also helps that nowadays almost everyone speaks English, however not everyone speaks Danish, or Dutch or Swedish, ergo not everyone is able to follow other RFs from original sources.

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

That though doesn't explain why they are so popular just because they are British, which is what prinz_von_buzim explained. They spread the English language across the globe, by founding an Empire.

Actually I think if you re-read my post you will find we are saying much the same thing. The Empire spread the English language around the world thus creating a linguistic/cultural/historic link that remains today.

[Princess Peach]

Originally Posted by Tyger

Hmmm...not really sure what you mean about Palo Alto and Berkeley.

Since I was very much around during everything I have listed I do know that the BRF was followed in the US Press in the way I have said - and I was one of the young people interested - a very long ways away from Palo Alto. I recall watching the Investiture on television, I recall watching Princess Anne's wedding with the same wrapped attention as I would years later with Prince Charles' wedding.

To be honest I don't think there is an 'average' American who cares about Diana's charity work. Diana was famous - pure and simple - for her looks and her sexy wardrobe - that's it. Personal physical attributes made Diana famous - and because she was married to the heir to the British Throne - charity work (its always pretty fuzzy to an 'average' American what the royal is actually doing) and personality were side points. She had a nice smile - that's not personality.

I completely agree. If Diana were an ugly as sin, nobody would care about her charity work. You didn't see Mother Teresa on the front cover of every glossy. They both died in the same week, and look at the differences in media coverage.

As for the popularity of the BRF, its popularity is no longer due to Diana, except for her fan base. Memories are very, very short lived and it's been 15 years. People over college age are not old enough to have been aware of current events during the Diana years.

Its popularity is now due to the hard work of the Queen and its senior members, and the celebrity factor of the up and comings. Plus, people like to watch the births and weddings etc of a family. Some of it is pride, some of it is respect, and some of it is just plain fun that make them popular.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Actually I think if you re-read my post you will find we are saying much the same thing.

I did read your post and I saw you comment about the Empire. I just wrote the comment in a different way.
However, the royals are not popular because they are British. Which was the start of the conversation. Nor do I believe they are popular because they speak English.

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

Do you people really think that it's because they ruled big part of the world? Russia is the biggest country in world, and Russian Empire was even bigger, and where is russian influence?

At its height the Russian Empire (1866) was 23,700,000 km2, at the height of the British Empire (1922) it was 33,700,000 km2.

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

Popularity of British family have roots in general popularity and supremacy of anglo-american culture which is spread through music and movies.

One thing you can't say about the BRF is that they are popular because of a spread through movies and music. That ties in with the fact that they speak English and as you proclaim 90% of movies and music are in english or based in the USA or UK.

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by layla01

Hi all,
Celebrating the Diamond jubilee, I wonder how come international media is always covering the british royal family, but hardly mention the other royal families.
Why do you think that is?
Thanks

How about because the international media giants are largely based in countries that are or were once part of the British Empire/Commonwealth. They have a cultural and historic linkage to their former mother country and its monarchy, and members of the BRF travel regularly to these nations.
Books are published around the world about members of the BRF, past and present, movies and tv series (fictional and non-fictional) are made about their lives. Their lives, through the media, appear larger than life. Common celebrities come and go but the BRF just carries on.

[yvr girl]

Cultural ties and language. The Queen is the queen of 16 countries. I think the Commonwealth numbers around 64 countries. There was a time when much of the world was coloured pink on a map (the Empire.) The USA is a friend, we fought side by side in world wars. Britain was once the dominant world power - that influence has not completely gone.

[CSENYC]

They're good looking actors and actresses in a real-life soap opera that is totally harmless and entertaining. They have no historical baggage; unlike so many other monarchs, the BRF has been a figurehead, rather than an active participant in government, for hundreds of years.

There was an article on RealClearPolitics.com yesterday showing that the BRF's approval rating in the US is perhaps even higher than in the UK.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by CSENYC

They have no historical baggage; unlike so many other monarchs,

The BRF has quite a bit of historical baggage.

I rather like this thread, thank you layla01 for creating it.

[prinz_von_buzim]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

I did read your post and I saw you comment about the Empire. I just wrote the comment in a different way.
However, the royals are not popular because they are British. Which was the start of the conversation. Nor do I believe they are popular because they speak English.


At its height the Russian Empire (1866) was 23,700,000 km2, at the height of the British Empire (1922) it was 33,700,000 km2.



One thing you can't say about the BRF is that they are popular because of a spread through movies and music. That ties in with the fact that they speak English and as you proclaim 90% of movies and music are in english or based in the USA or UK.

Hm, but it is connected with popularity of english language and anglo-american dominance in music and movies. Maybe I am mistaking, because i don't know exactly how is situation in other countries, but I know how it is in my country.


I live in Croatia, which was kingdom that joined Habsburg Empire in year 1527. So from 1527 to 1918 it was ruled by Habsburgs. Even today, 100 years after, german language is the widest spread foreign language in Croatia. Between young people, english is number 1, and german number 2, but when you look on entire population, including older people, german is the most spoken foreign language in Croatia. From the other hand, Croatia never had any british influence through it's history.

However, everyone here knows who is british queen and windsors are popular as in every other country. But no one knows who is the head of the House of Habsburg at this moment. Also, no one knows (and even I didn't know long time) that his son has name Ferdinand Zvonimir (Zvonimir was the name of croatian king from 11th century) and that he was baptised in Zagreb Cathedral by archbishop of Zagreb.


So, explain me, how can that be if not because of movies. I am repeating, during history british influence didn't exist here at all, while austro-german was very strong. So how comes?

[CSENYC]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

The BRF has quite a bit of historical baggage.

Not to my knowledge, at least outside the UK.

Compare the BRF with the Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Greek royal family, Italian royal family, etc. The BRF hasn't operated as a dictator; it hasn't taken sides politically in centuries; etc.

[AlanR]

I don't believe they are.....

Denmark and holland also have truly amazing Monarchs but I truly believe in the UK we never get news feeds for any other Royal family.

We had no news on the Dutch Prince nor the 40th Jubilee for Denmark...

God bless all Monarchs...........

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

However, everyone here knows who is british queen and windsors are popular as in every other country. But no one knows who is the head of the House of Habsburg at this moment. Also, no one knows (and even I didn't know long time) that his son has name Ferdinand Zvonimir (Zvonimir was the name of croatian king from 11th century) and that he was baptised in Zagreb Cathedral by archbishop of Zagreb.

Am I right in thinking the House of Habsburg fell in the 1700's? I don't see why anyone would know who the head of the house is when it fell over 200 years ago. Croatia has a president yes? I bet you can tell me his name, and maybe even his sons name if he has one. I personally wouldn't want to know about information that is of little use to me.

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

So, explain me, how can that be if not because of movies. I am repeating, during history british influence didn't exist here at all, while austro-german was very strong. So how comes?

I am assuming that you know of Queen Elizabeth because of "movies"? (if so which one's because I haven't seen her in any?) I know her obviously because she is my Queen, most of the world knows the BRF because they were once colonies ruled by the previous Monarchs. I don't know how it is in other countries besides Croatia and the UK, how they knew about the British Royals?

Posters from different countries, how did you come about knowing the BRF? Movies, language, magazines? Or did you just "know" them?

Originally Posted by CSENYC

Not to my knowledge, at least outside the UK.

Compare the BRF with the Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Greek royal family, Italian royal family, etc. The BRF hasn't operated as a dictator; it hasn't taken sides politically in centuries; etc.

It has no "political" baggage, but if take a glimpse into history and see the abdication, the mistresses, the name changes, the (current) divorces, money issues, the general all round scandals that family has baggage and HM has done a grand job of making up for her predecessors errors.

[NGalitzine]

The Hapsburgs rules until 1918.

[layla01]

Thanks for all the good answers. I guess the English language and culture is probably part of the answer, not to mention the empire.

However, I still wonder if in other states with royal families you will find such enthusiasm about the royal family as in the UK.

[prinz_von_buzim]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

Am I right in thinking the House of Habsburg fell in the 1700's? I don't see why anyone would know who the head of the house is when it fell over 200 years ago. Croatia has a president yes? I bet you can tell me his name, and maybe even his sons name if he has one. I personally wouldn't want to know about information that is of little use to me.



I am assuming that you know of Queen Elizabeth because of "movies"? (if so which one's because I haven't seen her in any?) I know her obviously because she is my Queen, most of the world knows the BRF because they were once colonies ruled by the previous Monarchs. I don't know how it is in other countries besides Croatia and the UK, how they knew about the British Royals?

Posters from different countries, how did you come about knowing the BRF? Movies, language, magazines? Or did you just "know" them?



It has no "political" baggage, but if take a glimpse into history and see the abdication, the mistresses, the name changes, the (current) divorces, money issues, the general all round scandals that family has baggage and HM has done a grand job of making up for her predecessors errors.

You are wrong, Habsburgs didn't fell in 1700's but in 1918 (as i mentioned in my post) after WW1. So not even 100 years have passed.


Yes, I know the name of my president as everyone knows the name of his president. But the fact is that british royal family just IS more popular than others. I don't remember exact name of movies because I generally don't watch movies much. But 90% of movies about history are taking place in England. I also know that here on TV was british royal wedding live. On TV were also documentaries about british monarchs, serials too (like the one about Tudors) and so on, and so on... Robin Hood is also english, isn't he? And Mr Bean, maybe one of the most popular comedians, in one episode he is meeting british queen.

[cepe]

No one (I think) has mentioned Edward and mrs Simpson. That started real interest. Excuse typing got keyboard probs.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

You are wrong, Habsburgs didn't fell in 1700's but in 1918 (as i mentioned in my post) after WW1. So not even 100 years have passed.

That would be the Habsburg Monarchy who ruled Austria until 1918. The Austrian branch fell in 1740, just did some checking. I didn't know Croatia was ruled by Habsburgs until 1918?

Originally Posted by prinz_von_buzim

Yes, I know the name of my president as everyone knows the name of his president. But the fact is that british royal family just IS more popular than others. I don't remember exact name of movies because I generally don't watch movies much. But 90% of movies about history are taking place in England. I also know that here on TV was british royal wedding live. On TV were also documentaries about british monarchs, serials too (like the one about Tudors) and so on, and so on... Robin Hood is also english, isn't he? And Mr Bean, maybe one of the most popular comedians, in one episode he is meeting british queen.

Robin Hood and Mr Bean do very little to promote the popularity of the British Monarchy.

Yes they are popular, the question was why?
The British Royal wedding was apparently watched by 122 million people, in comparison it was reported that 750 million watched the wedding of Charles and Diana. Popularity might be decreasing?

[chelly]

We have more outlets to watch it, so that might be the the reason for the different ratings. I thought I had heard that W/C wedding had higher ratings.


I think part of the popularity is the fact that we import and export alot from each other. Though of course that doesn't explain why the BRF is popular, but it might be part of the reason. That and the history between our two countries.

The problem is also the media I think expects us to only want to know about the BRF, so they don't really give us a chance to learn about the others.