A modern reigning royal house nowadays has its own website. In the United Kingdom there is not only a general website for all members of the royal family, see The British Monarchy, there also is a separate website for the heir to the throne, The Prince of Wales. That website, see The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, was completely redesigned and introduced earlier this month. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry of Wales now have their own websites, connected to the one of The Prince of Wales and his wife. Earlier this year they held a survey, and 1500 people responded and told about their wishes. Not only does the new website have bigger and better photographs, including a pictures gallery, and is updated better, there is also a new children’s section, a good media section, individual charity pages, etc. I must admit they really keep up with the newest media and software.
Also most other royal families have quite modern websites, with lots of possibilities and information. See for the official websites of the European monarchies also Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Spain (also redesigned quite recently), Luxembourg, and Belgium. I must admit the last one is the one with the most old-fashioned design of all, which has already lasted for years as far as I can remember.
It still surprises me highly that many of these royal houses don’t bother to post all the information on their websites at least in English also. Probably it is too expensive, maybe they think that people don’t care. But I know that lots of people would love to be able to read most of the website, including calendars, in English also. As far as I know the Luxembourg website – although for the rest quite good – is even the only one that is only published in one language, French. And that for a country where there are three languages in use: Letzebüergish, French and German. I usually understand enough of the French text to find out what it is about, but I’d love to see the information in German, or even better in English also. Of course there is Google Translator, but you always have to guess whether their translations are good or just rubbish.
At least I am able to read most of the European royal websites. However I know there are many others royalty-watchers in the world who have learnt only one, sometimes two languages, and don’t understand much of the text on these websites. I know a bit how it feels, as my Japanese is absolutely zero … and guess, the Japanese imperial website has an English section, but all the interesting stuff about the engagements,etc. of the family is in Japanese. So often updated even, that you get lost and even Google Translator doesn’t help much. I hope that more royal houses follow the example of The Prince of Wales, and ask their visitors what their wishes are and what changes should be made to their websites. But please, also hold the survey in English.