American Royals

In American Royals, the Washingtons and the American monarchy represent the human embodiment of freedom, hope, and stability in a turbulent country. On his deathbed, Beatrice’s grandfather tells her that although monarchs once existed to be served by people, “now the monarch must serve the people” (11) and place the nation’s needs above all else, including the monarch’s desires. McGee uses Beatrice’s subplot throughout the novel to showcase the blurry lines between duty and desire and to demonstrate how choosing a country over one’s desires is much easier said than done.

From the moment Beatrice was a child, she was expected to prioritize the needs of her country over her personal wants. She remembers that “In service to God and country had been painted on the walls of her nursery” (11). Beatrice has never been given a choice to choose anything other than the monarchy, and because she is destined to become the first Queen of America, she has a “steeper road to climb” (390) than anyone else in her family lineage. Beatrice will not only take on the most challenging role in her country, but she will face sexism and bigotry along the way. Beatrice’s decision to accept this “near-impossible burden” (218) isn’t truly her own: She has always believed that she has no choice in the matter.