The Royal Family’s Communication Strategy: A Recipe for Disaster
The British royal family’s motto has long been "never complain, never explain." This approach, touted as a masterstroke in public relations, has been employed for decades to maintain an air of dignity, mystery, and superiority. However, according to a recent article in The Guardian, this strategy has proven to be a recipe for disaster.
In an opinion piece published in The Guardian, columnist Zoe Williams argues that the royal family’s reluctance to communicate openly and honestly has led to a plethora of problems. The recent BBC interview with Prince Harry, in which he alleged an establishment stitch-up and complained about the lack of funds for his security detail, is cited as a prime example. Williams notes that while the interview was heavy on complaint and explanation, it ultimately revealed little and left many questions unanswered.
Williams, as quoted in The Guardian, suggests that the royal family’s approach to communication is fundamentally flawed. "If you never explain small things as you go along, you end up having to explain incredibly large things all at once, or, worse, have them explained for you," she writes. This approach has led to a situation in which the royal family is constantly playing catch-up, attempting to respond to criticism and speculation rather than taking control of the narrative.
The Guardian article highlights the consequences of the royal family’s communication strategy, citing the example of King Charles’s response to Prince Harry’s interview. Rather than addressing the issue directly, Charles’s friends were fielded to comment on his behalf, a move that Williams describes as "tawdry." This approach, she argues, only serves to reveal more than it conceals.
A The Guardian report also notes that the royal family’s approach to communication has led to a lack of intimacy and connection with the public. Williams argues that the family’s reluctance to express feelings or explain their actions has created a sense of distance and mystery, rather than fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
The Guardian article concludes by suggesting that it’s time for the royal family to adopt a new mantra: "complain about relatable things, in a modest way, and explain anything slightly unusual that’s going on, before it gets so out of hand that there’s no explaining it, except that you’re all barmy." As Zoe Williams, a Guardian columnist, so astutely observes, "complain about relatable things, in a modest way, and explain anything slightly unusual that’s going on, before it gets so out of hand that there’s no explaining it, except that you’re all barmy."
The issue of the royal family’s communication strategy is a complex one, with far-reaching implications for the monarchy and its relationship with the public. As The Guardian reports, the royal family’s reluctance to communicate openly and honestly has led to a plethora of problems, including a lack of intimacy and connection with the public. As the monarchy continues to evolve and adapt to changing times, it remains to be seen whether the royal family will adopt a more open and communicative approach, or continue to rely on the outdated strategy of "never complain, never explain."
Zoe Williams, writing in The Guardian, provides a compelling analysis of the royal family’s communication strategy and its consequences. Her article highlights the need for the monarchy to adopt a more open and communicative approach, one that prioritizes transparency and honesty over secrecy and discretion. As the royal family continues to navigate the challenges of the modern era, it is clear that a new approach to communication is needed, one that prioritizes connection and understanding over tradition and precedent.
By examining the opinions of The Guardian, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the royal family’s communication strategy and the implications of this approach for the monarchy and its relationship with the public.
