The British Royal Family has a rich history filled with defining moments that have shaped not only their own legacy but also the world around them. From triumphs to trials, these transformative events have brought significant change and influenced societal norms. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 moments that changed the Royal Family forever.
1. The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Photo courtesy of YouTube, BBC TV Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: Westminster Abbey 1953 (William McKie)
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 marked a turning point for the Royal Family. Amidst the challenges faced after World War II, her reign symbolized resilience and unity. Her longevity and imperturbable resolve, juxtaposed against a ceaselessly shifting Europe, cast her as a revered figure of tradition. A personification of the “British upper lip,” of moderation and stoicism, she ensured the integrity of British monarchy while also preserving its presence on the international stage.
2. The Wedding Ceremony between Prince Charles and Lady Diana – Royal Family
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Charles & Diana ~ The Royal Wedding 1981
In 1981, the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana mesmerized the world. It represented the timeless power of love and showcased the importance of nurturing relationships. Though Charles’ and Diana’s romance proved to be temporal, it gained lasting resonance, culminating in the birth of the heir to the British throne, Prince William. Diana also invested the monarchy with her own unique celebrity, endowing what was previously thought to be a relic, into something more capable of invoking societal transfiguration.
3. The Tragic Loss of Princess Diana
Photo by Provincial Archives of Alberta on Unsplash
Princess Diana’s sudden death in 1997 had a profound impact on the world and caused a significant change within the Royal Family. This moment underscored the significance of mental health and the importance of compassion. Causing widespread consternation and grief, Diana’s death shed enduring questions on the ethics surrounding media coverage of the monarchy. Princess Diana perished in an automobile accident in Paris, being chased by overzealous paparazzi in a car operated by an inebriated driver. It was a dismal death, for an otherwise radiant woman that played a significant role in modernizing the British monarchy for contemporary observers.
4. The Modernization of the Monarchy – Royal Family
Photo courtesy of YouTube, The Queen, Invictus Games
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the Royal Family began a modernization journey. This included embracing technology, engaging with the public, and adapting to changing societal expectations. Though the monarch is the technical head of state in Great Britain, their role is almost exclusively ceremonial. While they are required to participate in the interplay of British politics minimally, they have a uniquely apolitical role in government. Instead of hastening to alter this composition, Queen Elizabeth’s reign sought to convey an air of acceptance to the monarchy’s diminished role; instead wielding an equally powerful unifying role in an increasingly cosmopolitan polity.
5. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Philanthropic Initiatives
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Prince William Helps Knock Up a Chicken Teriyaki on Charity Visit
Prince William and Duchess Kate have spearheaded numerous philanthropic initiatives, raising awareness and advocating for mental health, conservation, and other important causes. Their most recent initiative, in particular, is quite ambitious; as they’re organizing efforts to eradicate homelessness in the London metropolitan area.
6. The Ascension of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – Royal Family
Photo Courtesy of YouTube, Meghan Markle
The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle brought significant change to the Royal Family. Though their initial integration into the monarchy was greeted with anticipation and eagerness by the British public, the two quickly came to feel stultified within the institution, seemingly apprehensive about serving the British public in a royal capacity. They complained of latent racism within the royal family, the misapplication of titles to their progeny, and the (alleged) slovenly upkeep of their numerous estates and accommodations. Their ambitions were elsewhere, in Hollywood, where Harry and Meghan leveraged their royal connections into now defunct-deals with Spotify and Netflix. Harry’s relationship with his family has perhaps been irrevocably eroded, while Meghan continues to hint at future aspirations in the entertainment industry or even in the domain of American politics. It has been an unmooring coupling.
7. The Queen’s Address during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Photo courtesy of YouTube, ‘We will meet again’ – The Queen’s Coronavirus broadcast
Queen Elizabeth II’s address to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic provided comfort, unity, and hope. During a tempestuous time, she offered solace to a country in the grip of a worldwide pandemic and the introduction of pandemic-related protocols that tore asunder the fabric of the British way of life. In effort to allay accelerating anxiety, she assured the British people that “We will meet, again.”
8. The Royal Family’s Commitment to Environmental Conservation – Royal Family
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Charles Shares Passionate Speech on Climate Change
The Royal Family has long been dedicated to environmental conservation, with Prince Charles being a prominent advocate. Their initiatives inspire us to be mindful of our ecological footprint and take steps to conserve our planet.
9. The Royal Family’s Support for Mental Health
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Princess Kate Feels ‘Inspired’ After Chatting to Children at Mental Health Charity
The Royal Family has played a pivotal role in destigmatizing mental health and encouraging open conversations. Their advocacy reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our emotional well-being and supporting others in their mental health journey. Especially during the state-declared pandemic, when access to mental health services became more precarious, the efforts of the Royal Family were significant in ameliorating the plight of the British citizenry.
10. The Prince Philip Award for Young People – Royal Family
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Prince Philip: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award leaves lasting legacy after inspiring so many | 5 News
The Prince Philip Award for Young People encourages personal development, resilience, and community service among the youth. It has inspired many to pursue personal development goals orientated within the context of their local communities.
11. Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
Queen Elizabeth II, the prim, courteous, polite, and beloved British monarch passed away on September 8, 2022. Great Britain consequently entered a prolonged period of mourning for the figure that, while seldom loquacious or overbearing, nonetheless presided over the country for 70 years. She was coronated while Britain was still an ascendant state in the global arena, guiding the country through its slow devolution of influence over the proceeding years. She was a rare cultural figure who almost everyone could invest faith in, uniting disparate groups of people into a modicum of unity. Queen Elizabeth II carried the heritage of the British people with aplomb and grace for seven decades, populating the political discourse of her times with a measure perspective.
12. Coronation of King Charles III
Photo courtesy of YouTube, Crowning of King Charles III
King Charles waited patiently to finally sit astride his inherited throne. To this day, he remains keen on “modernizing” and outfitting the royal institution of esoteric influences. His vision can, at last, now take precedence. It is a cumbersome weight, with the quantity of royalists diminishing in Great Britain. Will he be able to retrofit the monarchy to align more cohesively with the temperament of modern times? Does the monarchy still have a place in Great Britain? The valence of change is that the predictable and steady unequivocally vanishes, which means a new order must be implemented. Potentially, this may mean a reorientation of the monarchy to account for a changing populace and, consequentially, a more promising future. This burden falls upon King Charles III, and his heir Prince William, to decide.