Throughout history, monarchies and the lives of royal families have always been shrouded in mystery. However, the privacy screen has begun to chip away ever since 1952, when, for the first time, a coronation—the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II—was broadcast live on the BBC. Millions of people from across the country were afforded first-class access to the coronation, and some viewers likely had better views than some paying guests. With the advent of the digital age, these royal institutions have been compelled to adapt to social media to remain relevant. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was widely accepted that there was no divine right of the king. The 10 monarchies that still exist today are no longer seen as vessels of God but as instruments of government. The loss of divine right has diminished both monarchical ideology and its power. Nearly all monarchies (the Vatican being the exception) that have managed to survive to the present day have been forced to relinquish some control to become parliamentary monarchies, in which the monarch is no longer absolute. These royal institutions now understand that their continued presence in government depends on public support, as without it, they have no legitimacy.

Monarchies Enter the Online World