We’re used to seeing the modern day influencer causing problems in society, in particular family vloggers such as The Ingham Family, Family Fizz and further afield through the Ace Family and The Labrant Family. These are just a few of the hundreds, if not thousands, of YouTube, Instagram and TikTok accounts who exploit their children on a daily basis.
However, where and when did the influencer culture and child exploitation truly begin ?
We can take a look at our very own Royal Family. Like them or loathe them, The Monarchy do contribute a large amount to the UK economy. They also benefit largely from the same economy and that’s where a lot have an issue with them.
However, today we’re just going to take a look at how they make their money and, more specifically, who they use to make their money.
The Monarchy can be traced back through 39 generations and over 1200 years. Through this time, we’ve seen various Kings and Queens as the faces of the country. From Queen Anne, right through to King Charles III, the British Monarchs have guided us, run the country and brought numerous tourists to the country.
However, as stately as the late Queen Elizabeth II was, she was once a young child heavily in the spotlight as Princess Elizabeth. When her father died unexpectedly in 1952 and she took over as our all powerful leader, the baton of exploited Royal children was passed to Prince Charles.
No matter your opinion of the now King Charles III, the former Prince Of Wales has been in the media spotlight since he was born way back in November 1948.
When Prince Charles was thrust into the lap of Diana Spencer in July 1981 with the Wedding of the Century, two new young Princes were soon to join the Royal Family circus.
William and Harry led very well documented and invaded lives as the nation took keen interest in the offspring of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
William and Harry were exploited by the media like no other Royal children before them, especially with the advent of more and more media coverage through television, newspapers and magazines all in full glossy colour, a phenomenon not available for many Royals prior.
Indeed, the two tiny boys walking behind their dead mother’s coffin in 1997 is an indelible memory from that period and undoubtedly sold a lot of newspapers that day.
As the two Princes grew into young adults right through to the men they are today, their lives were scrutinised like no other.
However, this scrutiny undoubtedly played a part in the relative protection the two gave their own children in years to come.
When Prince William married Kate middleton in April 2011 they gave birth to their first born George in July 2013. Subsequent children and future heirs to the throne were Charlotte and Louis.
As the current Royal children grow there has been a noticeable increase in media exposure and indeed events they have actively participated in such as meeting and greeting the ball kids at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
As a society the expectation is and always has been that part and parcel of joining The Monarchy is being exposed to the public. However, in the case of Kate, and Diana before her, they chose to join. They knew what they were getting into. They had a fairly good idea at least so could opt out if they so wished, a la Meghan Markle. Even Prince Harry, now a fully grown adult, exercised his right to step away from Royal duties.
Where does this leave the children born into the Family though? They didn’t choose it or the lifestyle, the duties they would have to perform or the constant cameras hiding in the bushes for a glimpse of them. They never chose it but nor do they know any different.
As previously mentioned, The Monarchy generates a huge income each year for the country simply for existing. Visitors fly across the world to see the rich heritage of the Royal Family, visiting all the major and historical architecture and land such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyrood Palace and so many more. Add to that the millions generated from sales of merchandise.
Although this income is generated through The Monarchy as a collective, an undoubted huge part of this are the Royal children. They are used as a tool essentially to sell gifts, merch and attraction tickets, we really should be asking ourselves if this is right. Should we be using these children to make money from? Should The Monarchy be using them in this way?
The Royal Family are the original and biggest child exploiters.
As we continue the fight against child exploitation, shouldn’t this be led from the top? Perhaps our all great and powerful leaders should be setting the example to their minions.
I’m not suggesting family vloggers are being unduly influenced by the Royal Family. On the contrary, most influencers likely couldn’t pick the current King out of the proverbial line-up. However, leadership comes in many forms and one of them is to set the best possible example to those you want to follow you.
How can the Royals expect the people of the nation to act in one way to protect their children when they won’t do the same?
