Marriage and the Monarchy: Lessons From the British Royal Family

Prince William, second in line to the British throne, announced his engagement this week, immediately sparking a media frenzy, especially in the United Kingdom. We think the news brings up some interesting possibilities for teaching and learning across the curriculum, in history, media studies and economics.

Here are some key questions Prince William’s engagement raises, along with 15 suggested activities for seizing on the news as a teachable moment.

Key Questions:

Role of the Monarchy: What role does the sovereign – currently, Queen Elizabeth II – and members of the British royal family play, both officially and unofficially, today? What kind of government does Britain have, and what is the monarchy’s function in it? What is the purpose and function of any monarchy in the contemporary world?

Status of the Monarchy: Why did people around the world take note of the news of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton? What does it mean and represent to the British people and to others? Why? What does the royal family signify in British culture? What attitudes do people have toward the royal family?

Sovereignty and Etiquette: What is royalty? What does it mean to be sovereign? What etiquette and other rules apply to interactions with the queen? How does the couple’s relationship, and now engagement, defy royal tradition? How does it conform?

Iconography: What is interesting about Miss Middleton, Prince William and the rest of the royal family? Do you think the couple will become international icons, like Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana? Should the betrothed couple be “fair game” to the paparazzi who follow other celebrities? What has been said by some about Miss Middleton’s middle-class background and her education in terms of her compatibility with her future in-laws?

Monarchies in History: What other countries have royal families? How do their role and image compare with that of the Windsors? How does Prince William, and his upcoming nuptials, fit into the history of the monarchy, including notable royal weddings, both in Britain and elsewhere? Why do you think William chose to give Kate his mother’s engagement ring?

The Economy: As the British government cuts funding for social services and many Britons face financial struggles, is a royal wedding likely to reflect the economic times or depart from them? Will the money spent by the British government on the royal wedding become an investment that results in a boon for the economy?

Activity Ideas:

Famous Children: Do our 6 Q’s About the News installment “A Royal Engagement.” Compare and contrast the focus on the weddings of Prince William with those of Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush and any other child of famous parents whose personal milestone events have garnered much media attention and who might be considered, to some, the rough equivalent of royalty.

Rules of Engagement: Read accounts of how William proposed and the official engagement announcement from the royal family. Compare this process to the typical engagement process in various cultures and social spheres. What mores and rituals surround engagement?

Meet the Family: Make a list of five interesting and historically important facts about Kate Middleton; Prince William; his father, Prince Charles; his mother, the late Princess Diana; his brother, Prince Harry; and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Present your facts in a family tree; you might compare it with the trees of other famous families, like the Kennedys, or with your own family tree.

Power Play: Research the official powers of the ruling British monarch and the ceremonies she participates in as part of her official duties. Role-play a typical function presided over by the queen, with classmates playing key roles. Or, write a first-person prose poem or short story about how you imagine it would be to meet the queen privately or at a public event.

It’s the Economy: Learn about Britain’s austerity measures and watch the video in which Europeans talk about their lives as their nations face economic struggles, paying particular attention to the British people. Draw up a wedding plan and budget for the engaged couple. Should the wedding and related events be modest to reflect the times, or should they provide gloss and glamour, and a respite from reality?

Footing the Bill: Consider the calls for the royal family to pay for the wedding expenses instead of the ailing British government, along with the anticipated rise in tourism and sales of memorabilia, which are expected to boost the economy. Who should pay? Hold a debate.

Royal Efforts: Learn about Prince Charles’s charitable efforts, which include promoting local-sourced, sustainable fibers like wool, among many other things. What other charitable works are undertaken by the royal family? Choose one of these efforts to research and present.

History of the Monarchy: Research the history of the British monarchy. Create a timeline that shows important events in the monarchy, alongside historic events in the United Kingdom and around the world. When and how has the monarchy participated in historic moments?

Ever After: Investigate how divorce and scandal in the British royal family has affected public opinion about the Windsors and the institution of the monarchy itself. Write an informed, persuasive essay predicting how the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton might fit into that narrative and affect how the British citizenry views the House of Windsor.

Royals Around the World: Research two other countries that have royal families. Write a compare-and-contrast essay about the two royal families and the role they play in their respective countries.

Media Figures: Watch all of part of the official news conference given by Prince William and Miss Middleton to announce their engagement. What do you observe about their reactions to the constant flash photography? Should they be expected to endure such media attention at nonofficial events, too? Research Prince Charles’s attempts to shield his children from the paparazzi and the recent hacking of William and Harry’s cellphones by a British reporter. Make a podcast in which you discuss whether members of the royal family, by virtue of their fame, should be given a measure of privacy.

Class Consciousness: Research the interests and experiences the newly engaged couple share, and explore the public fascination with Miss Middleton’s social class, including rumors about the couple’s brief breakup and the behavior of Miss Middleton’s mother. Contrast your findings with your understanding of social class in America and the popular interest in class differences, evidenced in the popularity of shows like the “Real Housewives” franchise. Present your findings in a simulated television news report.

A Familiar Ring: Given the attention paid to Kate’s engagement ring, research its history and put the choice into the context of the current economic crisis in Britain. In a persuasive paragraph, tell why you think William gave his fiancée this particular ring. What does it symbolize? How does it fit in with established symbols of the British monarchy?

Word on the Street: Take a poll of people’s attitudes toward and knowledge of the royal family. Questions might include: What does the royal family symbolize? Should its members continue to receive public funding? Do they inspire pride and interest in England? Do you think people care about the royal family as much today as in the past? How do you think the royal family generates revenue for England (tourism, commemorative items and so on)? Make a chart or graph to show your findings.

Golden Crowns, Silver Screens: Watch one or more film depictions of the royal family, like “The Queen” (2006) or “The King’s Speech” (2010). Write a review that includes an assessment of the film’s historical accuracy.

Relevant Learning Network Lessons

A lesson from May 2010 gives background on the debt crisis in Europe.

Though it focuses primarily on Nepal, our lesson “Royal Treatment” gives students the opportunity to research existing monarchies around the world.

The qualities that make a good marriage are part of the discussion in “Untying the Knot.”

“A Personal Journey” and “Classes for the Masses” are related lessons that take on issues of social class.