There was a time when following the activities of royal families was a very different experience from what it is today.
Before the rise of the internet and social media, information about monarchies was primarily shared through traditional media channels and official government or palace press releases. For people living outside a royal family’s home country, keeping up with royal news often depended on whether local or international media chose to cover a particular event. Stories about state visits, royal weddings, coronations, jubilees or diplomatic engagements often reached audiences days, or even weeks, after they had taken place.
Access to royal events was also far more limited. Because of diplomatic protocol and the formal nature of royal institutions, only accredited journalists and selected media organisations were permitted to attend official engagements. Coverage was carefully coordinated, and opportunities for behind-the-scenes reporting were relatively rare. As a result, many royal households maintained a relatively limited international profile unless a major event attracted global attention.
The rapid development of digital technology has gradually transformed how royal institutions communicate with the public. Rather than relying exclusively on traditional media, many royal households now share digital announcements, photographs, videos, speeches and event summaries directly through their official websites and verified social media platforms. This enables them to communicate more quickly while ensuring that information comes from official sources.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube have become valuable communication channels for many monarchies. Audiences can now follow official engagements and other public activities almost immediately after they take place, providing greater access to the public work carried out by royal families.
Although digital platforms offer more immediate and visually engaging communication, they continue to reflect the traditions and protocols of each monarchy. Content shared through official accounts is reviewed by dedicated communications teams before publication, allowing royal institutions to provide timely updates while maintaining the quality and accuracy expected from official sources.
How Royal Accounts Differ
Each royal household has its own style of presenting information within the digital landscape, shaped by its cultural traditions. These platforms help people gain a better understanding of royal institutions and the work they carry out in society. This can be seen in the following four examples.
For a balanced look at how a royal family balances both ceremonial occassions with public responsibilities, the Danis Royal House (@detdanskekongehus) regularly shares these official engagements involving King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and other members of the royal family.
By comparison, their neighbours in the Swedish Royal Court (@kungahuset) uses its digital platforms to highlight similar activities. Yet the Swedish Royal Court places additional emphasis on engagements connected to education, research and innovation, as well as social issues that affect society. The Swedish approach hence pushes their royalty in the direction of more contemporary engagements.
Royal families outside of Europe take a slightly different appraoch in their style of communications, although their content similarly highlights a mixed between traditional and contemporary engagements for both domestic and international audiences.
The Imperial Household Agency of Japan (@kunaicho_jp) provides official updates on the activities of the Imperial Family through a more traditional program. The account primarily features state ceremonies steep in cultural significance, presented through formal photography accompanied by concise informational captions. Its carefully curated content highlight Japanese traditions and the institutional role of the Imperial Household, offering audiences insight into the customs and responsibilities of the world’s oldest continuing hereditary monarchy while maintaining a reserved and formal communication style.
The Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan (@rhcjo) also regularly shares official engagements involving the Hashemite Royal Family, with many posts highlighting the royal family’s involvement in various aspects of Jordanian society. Posts such as the King’s visit to the Royal Jordanian Air Force Command, as well as his attendance at national events, demonstrate the range of activities shared through the platform. Through photography and video, the account offers audiences a closer look at the daily engagements and public responsibilities of the Jordanian monarchy.
A Source of Public Information
In addition to documenting official engagements, official social media platforms provide audiences with greater access to specific details about the work of royal institutions. These resources often include archived speeches and press releases, offering valuable context for understanding the constitutional, cultural and public roles of different monarchies.
As digital communication continues to evolve, official online platforms have become an important complement to traditional channels of communication. While approaches vary across monarchies, these platforms support official outreach and further their contemporary roles in the world today.
