King Charles Coronation: U.S. Networks Play Up Royal Pomp With A Dose Of Reality Show Drama
06.05.2023 - 15:39
/ deadline.com
A common theme in U.S. network coverage of King Charles’ coronation was, why are Americans so fasciated by this?
Starting around 5 a.m. ET, the better question might as well have been, why are they up watching this?
As the king started their procession down the streets of London, commentator after commentator weighed in. On MSNBC, historian Jon Meacham quoted Shakespeare’s Henry V and said of the pageantry unfolding, “It is this marvelous cocktail, if you will, of the human, the divine, the democratic, the monarchial, the English and to some extent American.”
Others mentioned the colonial history of the U.S. and the special relationship between the two countries.
Perhaps the most succinct explanation came from Fox News’ Benjamin Hall, recently returned after recovering from severe injuries while covering the war in Ukraine, who said, “You’ve got pomp and circumstance, you’ve got a bit of a reality show as well with Harry. I think so far, it’s got everything.”
All the major cable and broadcast networks dispatched teams of correspondents and commentators to cover the event which, as were reminded many times, the first of its kind in 70 years. As always there was a bit of a contrast in what was going on on the BBC and what was going on with their U.S. counterparts, with the former obviously more informed on the roots of tradition and ceremony taking place. That said, U.S. networks largely resisted the urge to break in for commentary during the Westminster Abbey ceremony itself, a kind of restraint that’s not always the case at other live events.
Outside of the solemn service, filled with grand choral hymns and reverential works linking God and king, there was plenty of talk.
On Fox News, author Christopher Andersen