As is the case in many love stories, Cyril vividly remembers the day he fell in love with the royal family of England. On July 23, 1986, aged just 13, he accidentally witnessed the broadcast of the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson on his grandmother’s television screen. The little boy at the time was captivated by the spectacle, the decor, the joy of the crowd – palpable even behind the screen. While he does not yet know the exact meaning of the word “monarchy”, Cyril begins to read dozens of articles on the princely union, to collect photos published in magazines, and to learn about the Windsors. “I suddenly became interested in all the little stories of the royal family and, behind it, in the great history that it has gone through,” he confides, more than thirty years later. In three decades, this passion has taken a very important place in the life of this Dijonnais, chief of staff to the president of the University of Burgundy. “It’s a continuous, uninterrupted interest. It’s like a somewhat reassuring habit, a way of observing the passing of time, too”.
Not a week goes by without the 40-year-old immersing himself in a book or magazine dealing with the news of the “Royal family”, or taking a look at his impressive archives: copies of Paris Match or of Point of view dating from the time of the death of George VI, greeting card from the year 1954 signed by Prince Philip, derivative products bearing the effigy of the Queen or those close to her… “In high school, I even asked my English correspondents to send me VHS recordings of the Queen’s speeches on TV, to know the sound of her voice”, recalls Cyril.
For the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000, as for the wedding of Kate and William in 2011, that of Meghan and Harry in 2018 or the platinum jubilee of Elizabeth II, last June, the Burgundian s “obviously” went to London to take part in the festivities. If his work schedule permits, he will once again hop on a train to attend Her Majesty’s funeral in ten days. Because, as is the case at the end of many love stories, the passionate today has a heavy heart. “It’s the end of an era. The death of the queen is an explosion”.
“Immortal Monarch”
As for many French admirers of the royal family, Elizabeth II represented for Cyril “the very symbol of stability”. “He was the head of state par excellence. She represents a part of history: whatever the vicissitudes, the political debates, the scandals… Her commitment has never weakened,” he said. , admiring. However, this former militant of the Socialist Party (PS) does not define himself as a royalist, and even less a conservative. “I am absolutely not interested in the descendants of French royalty, for example. And I have never campaigned for a return of the monarchy in France!”. The political influence of Elizabeth II, however, fascinates him. “He’s a character who exudes a certain aura, something indefinable that inspires respect. Between Winston Churchill and Liz Truss, realize what she went through.”
From Paris, Chloé, too, praises the “stability” and the “grandeur” of the queen. The passion of this Franco-English law graduate, who describes herself as a “fan” of the royal family, would even have motivated her choice of studies. “I see Elizabeth II as a pillar allowing the maintenance of state institutions and guaranteeing good relations between the many countries of the Commonwealth”, considers the young woman, “fascinated” by the queen and her history. Just like Cyril, she sees herself running in front of the television, barely ten years old, in order to watch live the “majestic wedding” of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The hit series The Crown, broadcast on Netflix, has finished convincing her. “I wanted to know more about this system, this family, this great monarch who seemed immortal”. From the height of her 21 years, Chloé insists. “This is the first time that the death of a public figure saddens me so much. It was a real shock for me”.
Nicolas Fontaine, Belgian founder of the site Royal Stories, observes with a tender eye this French passion for the British dynasty – which he himself admires since his childhood. “This family fascinates, as much for its complex and dramatic history as for the splendor of the monarchy. It intrigues and fascinates, responds to the collective imagination of what ‘royalty’ means for the French: there is a patriotic side, chivalrous, magical, romantic, which continues to make people dream”, he analyzes. On his site specializing in the history and news of monarchies, which has two million views each month, Nicolas Fontaine thus ensures that 85% of the audience is French. “There’s everything: old and younger audiences, both men and women. There are those who are passionate about history, and those who find something to benefit from it in terms of gossip and more details. people“.
“He’s an icon”
Elsa, a 27-year-old Parisian, also fully assumes her “kitsch” passion for the folklore surrounding the British royal family. Flowery mugs, “very posed” photos of the descendants, corgi dogs on the queen’s knees and Scottish skirts hold a very specific place in the heart of the young woman. “I even have a key ring on my keyring, with a photo of William and Kate leaving the maternity ward after the birth of their son Georges. I’m a fan, in the first and second degree,” she says. laughing. The princely wedding, in 2011, would have “immersed” Elsa in the soap opera of the daily life of the Windsors. “I followed the affair Meghan and Harry who moved away from the monarchy, I was at the bottom when the children of Kate and William were born, and when I am told that things are not going well in their relationship, I refuses to believe it”, she lists.
But beyond the high-profile scandals surrounding the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, the Parisian is also impressed by the “very unifying” side of the royal family. “There is this unfailing patriotism, this recognition: I find it beautiful to see that so many different people can still gather around a personality like the queen”. Elsa also admits to having been largely inspired by the personality of Elizabeth II. “She is one of the strong women of the 20th and 21st centuries: she has accompanied very important moments in history, while remaining modern on certain subjects. She is an icon, and I admire her for what she has built “. But after the death of the sovereign, what will remain of the royal family? Elsa admits she will be watching developments in the coming days closely, both on the official Buckingham Palace pages and on social media fan accounts. She also admits her preference for the couple “Kate and William”, rather than a long reign of Charles III – a debate which greatly agitates French fans of the Windsors.
“I fear that the arrival on the throne of Prince Charles will provoke a movement of social discontent, since he remains unpopular in public opinion”, worries Chloé, who “strongly” hopes that “the people Britain can regain its full unity, without this question fracturing it further”. Cyril, for his part, is categorical. “I am for the respect of the rules, in particular in matters of succession. It is up to Charles to become king, whatever may be said… Especially since his positions, in particular on ecology, could be very interesting,” he said. Before concluding, impassioned: “The queen is dead, long live the king!”.