The document discusses how media representations of royalty have changed over time from very formal and traditional portrayals focusing on authority, etiquette and ceremony to more informal depictions that emphasize their celebrity status and modernize their public image. Earlier depictions showed royalty in elaborate formal attire, following strict rules of conduct and tradition, whereas more recent works portray them in a more casual light and involve humor through parody.

1. Representation
O f ROYALTY
In the media

2. The Queen 2006
The main plot focuses on the differing views in how to deal with the death of Diana. The Royal Family
sees her death as a private affair whilst Prime Minister Tony Blair and Diana's ex-husband Prince
Charles attempt to reflect the public wish for an official expression of grief.
Her costume is
The setting is smart and
incredibly reflects a
formal and stereotypical
‘posh’ royal outfit
A lot of gold Very prim and
coloured furniture proper
makes it look rich
and elegant
She isn’t addressing the She is stood with her hands together
Production company = Grananda
camera, but she is and is standing up straight. This,
Productions
looking down at the again, suggests the stereotypical
Prime Minister (suggests formal etiquette we expect from Director/Producer = Stephen
authority) royalty. Frears/Andy Harries

3. The PRINCESS DIARIES 2001
The plot follows Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers that she is the heir to the
throne of the fictional Kingdom of Genovia, ruled by her grandmother Queen Dowager
Clarisse Renaldi.
It was directed by Garry
Similarly to The Queen, she is Marshall, produced by
sitting on a gold throne. Whitney Houston and
distributed by Walt
Shows gold and wealth is
Disney Pictures.
synonymous with royalty.
Extravagant formal dress for It is an American
a princess, as well as ‘perfect viewpoint of what
hair and make up.’ Suggests royalty is.
princesses are very well
made up and presented.
In the film she is taught to speak and
act in a ‘proper way’ which is
incredibly ‘posh’ and ‘proper (having
to enunciate and walk gracefully.

4. QUEEN ELIZABETH II
CORONATION
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/2/newsid_2654000/2654501.stm
The image doesn’t focus solely on the
Queen, it features many other people.
They are all wearing ornate clothing, as
well as religious clothing.
The focus is on the
actual coronation
rather than the
Queen
It mentions the ceremony in
great detail
This suggests that in ‘historical
times’ royalty was regarded as
incredibly formal and traditional.

5. The big event
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/29/newsid_2494000/2494949.stm
Prince Charles and Diana's marriage in 1981 was a major event that
influenced the public perception of royalty in general.
The media attention they received mirrored that of celebrity attention,
particularly on Diana, labelling her ‘The Peoples Princess.’
Her death in 1997 only heightened the ‘celebrity’ label that was given
to members of the royal family. Different media outlets were
essentially ‘obsessed’ and this portrayed the royal family as being
famous on the same level of actors and musicians rather than as an
authoritative monarchy.

6. ARTICLE ABOUT DRESS
In comparison to the BBC
article about Queen Elizabeth
II’s coronation, the focus of
this article is on Kate
The BBC is a fairly Middleton's wedding dress.
respectable news
source compared to
gossip sites, so the
fact that they are Suggests that the royals are
divulging into similar presented as being like
stories suggests that celebrities rather than
royals are less authority. It is less about
sacred. tradition and more about
being modern.
The image focuses on
Kate in her dress. The
veil is covering her face
so that we focus on the
dress more than her.

7. T-MOBILE ADVERT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kav0FEhtLug
The T-Mobile advert included look a likes in place of British Royal family members dancing
to East 17’s ‘House of Love’ down the aisle. The advert is a parody of a popular video which
follows the same idea of dancing the aisle.
They are all dressed in
similar clothing to the
historical portrayal of
It is a British advert royalty (smart, elegant,
which reflects a more formal)
informal and personal
perception of the royal
family.
Their body language suggests
that the ceremony is informal
and more fun than traditional
royal ceremonies (hands in
the air, smiling and laughing)

8. WHATS CHANGED?
Pre Post
Formal – Doing things the ‘proper way’ Informal – We don’t look to the royal
to set an example family for expectations any more
Traditional Untraditional
Respected – We regarded the royal We can now openly involve them in
family highly humour and be less serious about
them (e.g. T-Mobile advert)
WHATS the same?
Pre Post
Elegance/formal clothing We still perceive royalty as dressing
well and being well presented
Wealthy We still see them as being wealthy,
upper class which is seen in the way
they dress