Book SummaryThe Royals, by Kitty Kelley

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Royals

20th Century Evolution of the UK Royal Family

Royal Family Becomes "The Windsor Dynasty" to Distance From German Roots

WWI Hatred of Germans Threatened Monarchy

Kelley describes a climate of intense anti-German hatred in Britain during WWI, which threatened the monarchy. The public, fueled by wartime propaganda, was turning against anything with German connections, and the royals, despite their long history in England, were not immune. Newspapers, filled with accounts of German atrocities, labeled them as "Huns" and called for the removal of all things German from British life, including music and food.

This atmosphere of xenophobia presented a significant danger to George V, whose heritage was German. Kelley details how the population's growing suspicion of anyone with German ancestry led to attacks on people of German descent and even the burning of homes. As the war progressed, this intolerance escalated to the point that King George V feared for the safety of his own family, several members of which were of German origin. Kelley notes how this intense social pressure forced the king to distance himself from his German relatives, including his dear cousin, Prince Louis of Battenberg, who was forced to resign from his position as First Sea Lord and even change his name to Mountbatten. Additionally, the King stripped other family members of their German titles and released a number of proclamations designed to make the monarchy appear less German.

Context

• During World War I, anti-German sentiment was widespread across many Allied countries, not just Britain. This was fueled by propaganda that depicted Germans as barbaric and inhumane, often using exaggerated or fabricated stories of atrocities to galvanize public opinion against the enemy.
• The term "Huns" was used as a derogatory label for Germans during WWI, drawing on historical associations with the Hunnic Empire, known for its invasions and perceived barbarism. This was part of a broader propaganda effort to dehumanize the enemy.
• The war prompted a shift in cultural identity, with many people rejecting anything perceived as German. This included changes in language, with some words and names being altered to sound less Germanic, and a move away from German cultural products.
• Members of the royal family with German-sounding names or titles faced personal and professional repercussions, such as losing military positions or being forced to anglicize their names to avoid public backlash.
• Prince Louis was a prominent naval officer in the British Royal Navy and held the position of First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, during the early part of World War I.
• The stripping of titles was part of a larger effort across Britain to remove German influences, which included renaming towns and streets and banning German music and literature.

George V's Anglicization of the Surname of the Royals

Kelley describes how King George V, pressured by popular anti-German sentiment and concerned for the monarchy's survival, made a series of decisions to distance the family from their German roots. One of the most dramatic changes Kelley discusses is the King's decision to renounce his family's German name, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and rechristen the royal dynasty with a more English-sounding name.

After weeks of searching for a suitable name that would solidify the monarchy’s British image, the King settled on Windsor, inspired by the historic castle that had served as a home to English monarchs for centuries. Kelley suggests that this decision, while based on political expediency, was among the most brilliant moves in modern monarchy. The name Windsor, resonating with British history, successfully distanced the royals from their German roots and enabled them to withstand the social and political upheavals of war.

Context

• The name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha originated from a duchy in what is now Germany. The British royal family acquired this name through Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, who was a German prince.
• The British royal family had strong German connections through marriage and ancestry, which became a liability during the war. Many British citizens viewed these ties with suspicion and distrust, fearing that the monarchy might have divided loyalties.
• The adoption of the Windsor name has had lasting effects, as it remains the surname of the British royal family to this day, reinforcing their British identity across generations.
• Windsor Castle is an iconic example of medieval architecture and has been a site of numerous historical events, further embedding it in the national consciousness.
• The renaming was part of a broader strategy to modernize and adapt the monarchy to changing political landscapes. By demonstrating adaptability, the monarchy could better navigate the challenges posed by the war and shifting public attitudes.

Technology & Media's Impact on Monarchy's Image & Accessibility

Televised Coronation: Revolutionizing Monarchy-Public Relations

Kelley portrays Elizabeth II as a surprisingly modern monarch, particularly when it came to recognizing the power of television for shaping public opinion. She details how the young Queen, after consulting with her advisors, broke with tradition and allowed cameras to film her coronation ceremony. This unprecedented decision, which revolutionized public relations for the monarchy, brought the coronation ceremony to millions worldwide, enhancing the image of Queen Elizabeth II and Britain's royals and establishing a new level of accessibility between monarch and subjects.

Despite opposition from traditionalists within her government and within the church, Elizabeth insisted on televising her coronation in 1953, which enabled millions of people for the first time to witness the pomp and ceremony of this historic occasion. Kelley emphasizes the political significance of this decision,...

The Royals Summary Royal Family Personal Lives, Relationships, and Scandals

Edward VIII's Abdication and Monarchy Impact

King George V's Disapproval of Wallis Simpson and Divorced Persons in Royal Circles

Kelley recounts how King George V's strong disapproval of Wallis Simpson, the twice-divorced American whom his son, the Prince of Wales, loved, presented the monarchy with a very difficult problem. The idea of a divorced individual becoming England's Queen was anathema to him, and he refused to allow a woman he saw as "tainted" to taint his throne.

In addition to the moral and religious objection to Wallis Simpson as queen, the King also felt that his oldest son's choice of a consort was politically ill-advised, particularly when the majority of his subjects were opposed to the marriage. Kelley notes how the King, despite his German ancestry, had spent years trying to separate his family from anything that might appear “foreign” to his subjects, and he was dismayed to be faced with an American as Queen, especially one who was not just a commoner, but also tainted with divorce.

Context

• King George V was known for his conservative values and commitment to duty and tradition. His disapproval was partly rooted in his belief in...

The Royals Summary The Monarchy's Public Image in Britain

Crown Reverence and Royal Deference in Early 20th Century

Kelley recounts how the impact of royal coronations and weddings strengthened the monarchy in Britain in the early twentieth century. These elaborate occasions of pageantry and ceremony gave the public opportunities to celebrate their connection with the Crown. The elaborate spectacles stirred emotions, fostered a public sense of participation in the magnificence of royalty, and distracted people from their own humdrum lives.

Kelley suggests that the crown's influence on public perception was strengthened by the aura of divinity surrounding it, which was viewed as God-given. Those who donned the crown, no matter how imperfect or unprepared in the past, acquired a certain magical status simply by being anointed at Westminster Abbey, and the reverence the public felt toward their sovereigns was reflected in their respect for even the most minor royals.

Impact of Royal Weddings and Coronations on Public Imagery

Kelley details the Queen's orchestration of the events around coronations and weddings, from the number of carriages in the procession to the placement of every jewel on gowns and tiaras, to create a...

The Royals Summary Princess Diana's Life, Impact, Legacy, and Influence on the Monarchy

Diana's Evolution From "Shy Di" to Icon and How the Media Shaped Her Public Persona

Her Popularity as the "People's Princess" and Her Public Connection

Kelley chronicles how Diana's evolution from "Shy Di" to international icon was in part engineered by the media, who helped shape her image by focusing on her exceptional beauty and charisma, which made her the world's most photographed woman. Her captivating style, coupled with her spontaneous connection to those around her, enabled her to rise above the perceived aloofness of the Windsors and establish a genuine rapport with the public.

Kelley details Diana's talent for connecting to people on a human level, emphasizing her willingness to listen patiently to complaints and acknowledge her own frailties. Kelley contrasts Diana's naturalness with Queen Elizabeth's strained formality, and how that difference won the public’s respect and affection. Diana was viewed as someone with a genuine open heart, who instinctively went beyond the rigid confines of protocol to touch people emotionally. The photographs of her kneeling to talk to crippled children and adults, greeting ailing and terminal patients without gloves,...