Cheers for the five-hat royals

22 May 2023

Welcome to 'Stray Thoughts', where the Eureka Street editorial team muses on ethical and social challenges we've noted throughout the week. Two weeks ago, six family members from six different households across three countries sat to watch, and comment on, in real time an event that was happening 10 time zones away from Australia. It was, of course, the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, and the six of us used Messenger to keep a running commentary on the guests, clothing, pageantry and service.

‘Poor Harry, all alone’. ‘Prat’. ‘At least he’s there.’ ‘But not in the procession. That is what you get when you resign and then trash the firm.’

‘What’s five hats Camilla?’ ‘What?’ ‘Order of service says Regina Camilla Vivat – basically, long live Queen Camilla you idiots.’

‘Wonder how much they’ll get in the collection?’ ‘Collect, not collection – it’s different.’

‘Did he say the book of galoshes?’ ‘Colossians, does nobody read a Bible?’

‘Why’s he behind the screen?’ ‘Watch The Crown, it explains everything.’ ‘Well, I am glad it was behind a screen if he took his clothes off.’

'It’s hard to think of other events that would result in such a coming together of world media to enable families to connect in such a way.'

And so it went for two hours. It occurred to me during this conversation of family in-jokes, irreverent humour, discussion on Wordle scores, and sometimes awe of the singing and pageantry, how amazing this interaction was.

First, the technology that enabled us to message each other should be appreciated. Modern technology and social media have numerous problems. Technology’s expensive, but because modern life cannot exist without Internet access we tend to forget how much we pay to stay in touch. Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and other social media platforms set unrealistic expectations. Again, seeing only the finished product we don’t realise the time and effort that goes into getting the right picture and then the work in refining it (unless of course you can’t start your meal because your companion needs to get the lighting right as they photograph the food). Social media can be loathsome. For every Tweet or post that has a speck of gold as regards information or wisdom, there’s a mountain of pyrite to wade through. However, where a real and close relationship already exists, technology helps bridge physical separations.

Second, the Royal family as a cultural touchpoint is interesting. It’s hard to think of other events that would result in

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Cheers for the five-hat royals

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