Aaron Sobetski

Functioning as a case study of the ceremonial vestments used in the 2023 coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, this dissertation investigates the monarchy’s use of powers to control media narratives, and thereby public perception. This is accentuated by a certain statement political scientist Joseph Nye chronicles as soft power, which heavily relies “on positive attraction in the sense of ‘alluring.’” As he then goes to argue, “‘beauty’ or ‘charisma’… tends to produce inspiration and adherence.” This idea of ‘attraction’ and ‘adherence,’ though, is only successful if it is able to capture the minds if the masses (and the court), keeping their eyes occupied long enough so those in power can do what they need to do. The coronation is no exception to this argument and, albeit statement of power.

This research was achieved by examining the designed ceremonial dressings most notable for use in the British coronation ceremony. Specifically, I argue that the inherent inauthenticity of heritage in the form of St. Edward’s Regalia, coronation robes, and vestments, compared to coronations when these inherited traditions were conceived does not show a necessity for an otherwise excessive ceremony.

I look at aspects of sustainability that were pushed out in multiple news articles and royal statements before and after the coronation to deduce how necessary the coronation vestments were in the ceremony, as well as how often they are reused.

Finally I look at King Charles and his family’s use of celebrity as soft power to draw attention to the green agenda, thrusting the Royal Family into the limelight.

I have observed how all three of these topics keep the notion of remembrance and vitality contently lingering in news cycles related to the monarchy. The ways in which royals are able to show this remembrance without outwardly speaking on hot button political issues is through dress and distinction. The soft power of fashion has been a loophole in the political neutrality of the monarchy for many generations. Soft powers such as fashion and values-led speeches are used to persuade the general public to a sovereign’s view; while hard powers, such as law, are reserved for His Majesty’s Government to distribute. The medieval notion of wearing garments that are loaded with immense soft power, designed for demanding respect and adoration, is not the way to win over the public of the twenty-first century; the ploy of using a fashion trend, especially by the World’s Best Dressed Man, to gain public favour might be though.