Working-class fans of the all-American actor Edwin Forrest rioted in a bid to cancel performances by William Macready, an Englishman whose theatrical style was rigid and full of handkerchief waving (critics had disrupted one of his performances by tossing a dead sheep on the stage). In 1849, New York witnessed a violent protest over competing methods of playing Shakespeare. They were easily identifiable, according to the Washington Post, by their “pork pie straw hats” and cigars, and by their demands that bartenders serve them exotic recipes known as Manhattans and Martinis.īritish culture has also aroused strong passions in America. The guest list was limited to 3,000 but an additional 2,000 gatecrashed, causing the dance floor to collapse.īy the time of the coronation of George V in 1911, many Americans visited London. “This is all for me! This is all for me!” said the astonished prince.Įdward loved to dance, so was invited to a grand ball at the Academy of Music. In 1860, the queen’s son, Edward, visited New York City and was greeted by cheering crowds. One visitor to Philadelphia was horrified to discover that hotels and boats had been named for the British queen, and that he was pestered to buy Victoria-branded riding hats, soup, soap and toothpaste. When Queen Victoria was crowned in 1838, parts of the United States were gripped by Victoria fever, accompanied by a flourishing market for royal merch. Some of the greatest admirers of the British monarchy are foreign republicans, and that’s nothing new. Yes, Americans will be watching the coronation, albeit groggily at 6am EST if they want to see it live.

And it always you and me