Americans are shifting towards monarchies yet again; only this time, it’s for the drama.
When Netflix released the show “Bridgerton” in 2020, the public went into a frenzy. After the first month of its release, it had reportedly reached a viewership of 82 million worldwide, and it wasn’t long before the show ranked number one overall in 83 separate countries. Some movie critics say it grew popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the inclusion of the Regency-era aesthetic was the prime contributor to its acclaim.
While there is no concrete answer to why people are so captivated by royalty in pop culture, the unique society it portrays certainly plays a role in its allure. Lavish ballroom parties, extravagant clothing and slow dances under flattering candlelight; the entire ordeal is a look into the lives of those who have too much time and money on their hands.
Audrey Howard, a freshman from Shrewsbury, agrees that Regiceny style outfits allures the public eye.
“I really like the outfits,” Howard said. “They’re so pish-posh.”
The difference in etiquette and social codes allows for a sense of sophistication and poise rarely found in present-day discourse. Noble characters have always exuded an aura of elegance, confidence and maturity in their mannerisms, which are qualities widely regarded as appealing and highly attractive.
However, if one thing is universally known about the 19th-century era, it is the extreme social constraints and wide-ranging inequality. It was an era when forced marriage was commonplace and women lacked basic rights. Yet somehow, fictional regency dramas still made their way to millions of people online, and numbers certainly can be visualized. This is attributed to their habit of mixing fantasy and history while excising the more unfavorable aspects.
Freshman Kyla Kidorf of Holmdel shares her insight on why historical inaccuracies in shows gain so much positive attention.
“It’s one of those things where [popular medias] don’t show the flaws of,” Kidorf said.
A great example is the British royal family: scandalous affairs, controversial resignations and most recently, accusations against the family itself. The attention it drew was not to be underestimated either, as evidenced by the 17 million who tuned in to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slam the royal family during their appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Though the family still adheres to traditional royal customs and dresses luxuriously, much of their lifestyle is not as flawless as society believes. Royalty of the past and present hold a significant place in modern-day pop culture. Whether it is indulging in historical romance films or listening to secrets of the royal family, the concept of immersing ourselves in an enchanting and grandiose lifestyle offers an escape from the ordinary realities of everyday life.
“We’re enticed by the fact that [their life] feels like it’s better,” said Kidorf. “But we don’t know because it’s not something we actually experience.”
