Ahh, the Royals. More than just ambassadors of luxury, they’re the inventors of it. From portraits that hang in museums to tailored garments and custom-made jewelry, they were the very ambassadors of opulence. Just look at the British Royal Family—the most famous monarchy in the world.

For centuries now, they’ve been a focal point of adoration, millions around the world tuning in for a glance at their lavish lifestyle. But now, enter the celebrity—actor, influencer, pop star, take your pick. Sleek LA mansions, million-dollar supercars, makeup lines, and skincare brands, that’s their version of luxury. And thanks to them, it’s everyone else’s too.

Fading Prestige

For the latter half of the last century, the British royal family was primarily a figurehead ruler, with all the actual governing being done by the government. Still, they’ve maintained their high position in society through their pop culture relevance.

Their romantic relationships and marriages make headlines and draw in millions of viewers in search of gossip. Princess Diana was revered as a fashion icon, with many still trying to emulate her style of casual sophistication even today.

Princess Kate could cause an item to fly off the shelves simply by being seen in the same room with it. But lately, that just isn’t the case.

As a society, we’re evolving beyond the idea of worshipping individuals simply because of their title or status. People are now asking, What meaningful contributions have these individuals made to deserve their fame and wealth? And the answer is—it’s not just about luck or birthright. What truly matters is the impact they’ve had on the world, the innovation they bring, and the positive change they inspire.

A New Challenger Approaches…

And then here come the celebrities. From movie stars to singers, they fill the growing gap of people to look up to. Here are people with actual talent and skill, providing entertainment to millions, and more importantly, an actual reason to pay attention to them. Couple a few familiar faces with a designer product, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

In fact, a lot of them enter the luxury market themselves, founding and running their own brands. Rihanna created Fenty, Kim Kardashian created Skims, and much more. They get revered as not just entertainers, but now titans of industry.

With this fame comes wealth- a lot of it, and they usually don’t go for the quiet elegance that we saw from the royal family. No-no, they like to live loud and fast. Zipping around the world on private jets, sipping $100 cocktails, and buying a G wagon online.

One only needs to look at the huge viewership of shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians to understand how enthralled people are with this kind of lifestyle. They’re paid millions to be brand ambassadors for a product, which creates massive demand thanks to their huge online followings.

Who do you want to wear your dress to?

Celebrity red carpet looks are a never-ending topic of discussion online. They’re a place for designers to show off some of their finest work, and have as many eyes on it as possible. Events like the Met Gala generate weeks of online discussion about the outfits and designers behind them, and it’s often thanks to the celebrity wearing them.

Think of Blake Lively’s Versace gown at the 2022 Met Gala. Exquisite on its own, but it wouldn’t have generated as much love if it hadn’t been worn by someone so famous.

In today’s world, it’s the celebrities who define our idea of what luxury is. It’s their lifestyles that we’re constantly watching, and their fashion we imitate. The age of born-royalty has passed, and it’s time for a new generation of made-royalty.

If you’re still unsure, just ask yourself one question–if you want to sell your product, who do you want promoting it, Sabrina Carpenter or Prince Harry?