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preface

The essence of monarchy is that the state is embodied in a living person and that the monarch’s subjects are “people” rather than “the people.” This common humanity, celebrated over generations, perhaps accounts for the fascination of most individuals with royal lives and practices. They recognize instinctively that their lives are intimately connected with the lives of the royals. As has been noted, royal activities are frequently ordinary activities carried out in extraordinary circumstances.

From the philosophical underpinnings of the very nature of society, through leadership in times of crisis and adversity, to the great pageantry of communities and the customs of day-to-day living, we function, often unknowingly, in a royal world. Monarchy has been a universal experience. While focusing on Canadian and Commonwealth history and practice, this exploration of royalty considers examples from cultures around the world.

Now You Know Royalty looks at the influence of kings and kingship, the language of monarchy, how monarchies function, the cultural role of kingship, the royal beginnings of everyday practices, and anecdotes involving emperors and empresses, kings and queens, princes and princesses, in the hope that it will both inform and entertain readers. In particular, it seeks to make Canadians aware of their royal heritage and the role that the Crown has played in the creation and history of their country.