A ‘Royal consultant’ who oozed upper-class Britishness while commentating on Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle has been outed as an ordinary bloke – from upstate New York.
From his posh accent to his triple-barrelled surname, Thomas J. Mace-Archer-Mills appeared to be the epitome of British upper-class while telling Norway’s TV 2: ‘The most important aspect is keeping integrity… and making sure that the traditions and heritage that we have as British people remain at the forefront.’
But it has now emerged that, despite saying ‘we British’, he started life in the US as plain Thomas ‘Tommy’ Muscatello, an Italian-American, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which has exposed his origins.
Thomas J. Mace-Archer-Mills’ photos include this selfie, with the Duchess of Cambridge in the background, at a function
‘Mr Monarchy’ in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace, June 2014 where, according to his post on Instagram, he was there ‘for a cuppa’
Sought after by the world’s media, Thomas has contributed to many television and radio programmes as well as on the news and in print, including for the Royal Wedding
However there was no clue of this as, with his cultivated posh British accent, Mace-Archer-Mills announced, ‘We’re making world history’ while speaking to France’s private national TF1 channel, as the happy couple approached St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
In fact, you would struggle to see any obvious reference of his American heritage while perusing his website, where he calls himself ‘Mr Monarchy’ and which is clearly dedicated to all things royal.
His online picture gallery features him in flat caps, giving speeches, or at various events, including at Buckingham Palace, donned in top hat and tails. Another shot is of him at a ‘private function at Horseguards Parade with the Royal family. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is in the background,’ he helpfully points out.
He also founded the British Monarchist Society and Foundation, an organisation dedicated to educating the nation about the positive attributes of the monarchy
On his website, he says of his speaking voice, ‘Thomas’ delivery is exceptional. His diction and annunciation is excellent, whilst his communication is property timed, clear and concise’
The website says he is an ‘educational speaker’ who gives lectures and instructs at primary and secondary schools and other groups: ‘Thomas speaks on a wide range of topics with Royal themes, including his popular niche brand of discussions about the Royals and their drinking habits.’
In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, he penned his first book ‘with permission of the Palace, to which he was granted the use of the official Diamond Jubilee logo. ‘To The Queen: A Royal Drinkology’ sold 5,000 copies in the months following the central Jubilee weekend.’
He adds: ‘Thomas understands the formula to successful monarchies… from the examples set forth by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and her father King George VI.’
And he even alludes to his posh accent, saying: ‘Thomas’ delivery is exceptional. His diction and annunciation is excellent, whilst his communication is property timed, clear and concise.
‘In understanding sacrifice, duty and service, Thomas has single handed-ly [sic] pushed the monarchist movement to new heights within the United Kingdom, by founding the British Monarchist Society and Foundation, an organisation dedicated to educating the nation about the positive attributes of the monarchy.’
According to the Wall Street Journal, his love of England started when he was a boy and ‘had an innate feeling for British pronunciation as a youth, picking up his accent in a variety of ways, primarily from visiting the UK’.
Changing from Tommy Muscatello into Mr Mace-Archer-Mills, he said, was due to a growing realisation that he identified more as British than American: ‘I found where I’m supposed to be and who I am supposed to be’.
The publication describes him enjoying early years in Kent, where he learned to ‘ride my horses’. He is apparently applying for British citizenship.
Mr Mace-Archer-Mills told WSJ he saw himself as a subject-matter-expert, and that his day job was in real estate. But he revealed that his obsession with royalty began while growing up in Bolton Landing, New York, an hour north of Albany: ‘even my toys had a royal nature’.
Mr Mace-Archer-Mills said he identified more as British than American: ‘I found where I’m supposed to be and who I am supposed to be’
Reporting from Kensington Palace: Mr Monarchy
Jim Miller, his high school music teacher, told the publication that during a production of Oliver, he recalled Tommy being ‘able to duplicate a British accent’.
Mr Monarchy said that his triple-barrelled surname is a melding of the names of friends and distant relatives, including a family of Archers in England.
He formed the British Monarchist Society in 2012, ‘as an educated and popular response to the rising tide of republicanism,’ which is dedicated to education about the Crown and members of the Royal family, according to his website.
In 2015 Mr Mace-Archer-Mills began publishing Crown and Country magazine, focusing on royal-themed topics.
There has been a mixed reaction to the WSJ article, with one reader saying it could be called ‘cultural appropriation’ while another said he hoped ‘this pretentious fellow gets that useless citizenship and abandons our proud citizenship’.