A Royal Wedding Provides A Reputational Boost for the Monarchy
I remember setting my alarm to wake up early and watch another royal wedding…the wedding of Lady Di and Princes Charles. Since then, the British monarchy’s reputation has taken a beating – with the tragic death of the world’s most beloved princess, the subsequent public relationship of Charles and Camilla…it was a story filled with tragedy, and a reputation suffering from a lack of relevance. The monarchy was old, stodgy and not particularly sexy or interesting. Until Kate Middleton came along. Fashionable, confident and open, her engagement to Prince William gave the royal family instant relevance, and once again sparked a new affection and interest in the royals.
Prince William has grown into a young man with a public persona more like Diana than Charles, with a genuine smile and an approachable demeanor. Kate is a poised “girl next door” who married the handsome Prince. Their photos reveal genuine affection and a spirit of fun that we haven’t seen since the legendary photos of Diana running off the airplane to embrace her boys.
This could be the beginning of a reputational rebound for the royals. With the bookmakers seeing bets on everything from the dress to the appearance of the first royal heir, only time will tell if the royal reputation can rebound for the long term, of if this is just a wedding related “bubble.”
