In the book "Reporting Royalty," renowned historian Sir Anthony Seldon asserts that while the media will always exist, the monarchy might not endure indefinitely.
Various other experts have weighed in on the complex dynamic between the royal family and the Fourth Estate, suggesting that the royal family relies heavily on the media.
Sir Anthony emphasizes that the female members of the royal family, particularly Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, possess a keen understanding of how the media operates. He commends Kate for her adeptness at managing the media, contrasting her approach with that of Princess Diana. According to him, Kate exudes complete composure and control, devoid of any sense of victimhood. He finds her demeanor highly perceptive.
Sir Anthony also highlights Camilla's media acumen, stating that she grasps it better than Charles does. He describes her as astute, predictable, and independent, predicting that as Charles ages, she will assume increasing dominance, skillfully shaping and defining the era of Charles's reign.
On the other hand, broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips criticizes the press for engaging in self-serving behavior when rehabilitating Camilla's public image. He accuses the media of displaying hypocrisy in transforming her from the "most hated woman in England" to a champion for women's rights who loves books. Phillips suggests that Camilla herself hasn't fundamentally changed, but our fickleness as a society becomes apparent now that editors know she will be a long-term presence.
The newly crowned King, referring to Charles, also relies on media support. The extensive coverage of his coronation uplifted him, but his family has been entangled in a media spectacle for the past four decades.
According to former BBC court correspondent Michael Cole, a significant fracture in the relationship between the Palace and the press occurred in 1985 when ITN was granted exclusive access to Charles and Diana for a year. This decision reportedly undermined Buckingham Palace's royal rota system, designed to ensure fair treatment of the media.
The late Queen's astuteness in dealing with the media is exemplified by her avoidance of providing exclusive scoops to specific outlets. By doing so, she irritated those who didn't receive exclusives and fueled fierce competition among journalists, as noted by Cole.
This situation led to a war of planted stories in newspapers, with former royal correspondent for The Sun, Charles Rae, describing it as an open season for tabloid editors amid the ongoing public relations battle between Charles and Diana.
A "new breed" of royal press officers recognized that remaining silent or offering no comment would no longer suffice, according to Rae. He suggests that the monarchy should worry if the media were to lose interest because that would signify the end of the show. The experts assert that both Kate and Camilla have important roles to play in maintaining the royal family's presence in the media.
Furthermore, the actions and controversies surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down as senior working royals and relocated to the US in 2020, have also garnered significant media attention and public interest.
