Royal Ambassadors: Monarchical Public Diplomacy and the United States

Abstract

Royal connections were an integral part of European diplomacy, but as the United States became increasingly important in international relations, its republican structure left it outside this system. One way to develop stronger links with the American republic was for the European powers to make use of their royal families, as part of their ‘public diplomacy’. Visits to the United States were made by the heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales, as well as senior members of the French Orleanist dynasty, the Russian, Austrian and German imperial families, as well as representatives of other European monarchies. Some of these visits were great successes, some less so, and at least one was counter-productive.