America is infatuated with the British royal family, something that might seem odd for a country built on foundations of anti-monarchy ideals. 

In fact, the popular American People magazine, has its own branch dedicated to stories surrounding the royal family. The magazine describes itself as the place to get “breaking news and style updates about Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and all the royal babies.” The dedication the magazine has for the British royals shows the grip they hold in the U.S., and how obsessed we are with their lives.

American actress Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2018, giving Americans an entry into the modern royal family. CNBC reports that 29 million Americans tuned in to watch the wedding. Markle’s entrance into the royal family left Americans feeling that they are part of the royal family, only furthering our infatuation with British Royalty.

In 2020, the couple decided to leave as working senior members of the royal family and move to the U.S, which only captivated the country more. Even more so, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat for an interview with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, the secrets and truths about their experience in the royal family were highly anticipated and viewed by 17 million Americans. 

Similar to Markle, the late Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, was beloved by the American people. She raised awareness for the AIDS crisis and mental health organizations and was coined the ‘People’s Princess’ by the press. In 1997, she was killed in a car crash and her funeral was watched by 2.5 billion people worldwide. Americans everywhere mourned her death.

More recently, Queen Elizabeth II’s death has brought even more American eyes to the royal family. Her funeral attracted an estimated 11 million American viewers. The Queen has been not only a force of stability for the Commonwealth but also for America. During her reign, she met 13 U.S. presidents and countless other Americans. Former President Barack Obama commented when meeting the now King Charles III, “I think it’s fair to say that the American people are quite fond of the royal family. They like them much better than they like their own politicians.” This goes to show U.S .leaders are aware of the love Americans have for the royal family. The British royal family is not only a family but an institution. It represents something greater and a sense of country.

American streaming service, Netflix, is home to the multi-million dollar drama series “The Crown,” depicting the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The dramatized life of the Queen captivates Americans. This is one of many royal family-based shows that Americans tune in to watch.

The British royal family represents an institution that is not present in the U.S. Americas fought for decades to rid themselves of the British empire, yet modern Americans are bewitched with the drama that surrounds the British royal family.