The Enduring Humor of Mocking Royalty
For centuries, poking fun at the royal family has been a common form of entertainment, stretching from the days of medieval jesters to modern comedies like Monty Python and The Windsors. This enduring tradition suggests that the very concept of monarchy is inherently comedic.
The Absurdity of Hereditary Power
The humor stems from the incongruity of nations being led not by merit or expertise, but by lineage. As Shaun Micallef puts it, the monarchy is "fronted on location" by their "local stunt double," the governor-general. Authority is derived not from democratic mandate, but from antiquated rituals and glittering regalia. This system expects populations to feign democratic consent through gestures like curtseys and bows.
"It’s just weird to kneel in front of another adult," laughs British comedian John Oliver on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, describing the British royal family as “an emotionally stunted group of fundamentally flawed people doing a very silly pseudo-job”.
Comedic Perspectives on Royal Incompetence
Other comedians have offered similar critiques. David Mitchell, in his book Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens, observes that "the modern royals are just a muted and low-key coda to the centuries of humiliation, incompetence, criminality and failure exhibited by their far more powerful predecessors."
Modern Comedians and Royal Satire
The Windsors stands as just one example in a long history of comedic programs that target the royals. Australian comedian Sammy J contributes to this tradition with his Royal Lullaby, satirizing the colonial relationship between Australia and the monarchy:
"And it truly is a wonder, That a colony down under, Will be subject to your whims, We give thanks to DNA, For wisely showing us the way, And picking out our Queens and Kings.”
A Gracious Approach to a Silly Idea
Even in jest, a certain level of respect remains. Perhaps the most balanced perspective comes from Lieutenant Frank Drebin, played by Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: “For no matter how silly the idea of having a queen might be to us, as Americans we must be gracious and considerate hosts.”