Empire, Celebrity and Excess: King Farouk of Egypt and British Culture 1936-1965

In the 1940s and 1950s, King Farouk of Egypt was a prominent figure in British culture, attracting attention due to his extravagant lifestyle and colorful private life. This book explores how the narratives and representations of King Farouk in British official and popular culture dramatized the retreat from empire, the rise of celebrity journalism, changing conceptions of masculinity and sexuality, ambivalent attitudes towards monarchy, postcolonial exile, the growth of mass tourism, and the post-war transition from austerity to abundance. By studying Farouk, it sheds new light on the multiple and complex ways in which Britain emerged as a postcolonial nation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In the vibrant tapestry of British culture during the 1940s and 1950s, a regal figure once stood tall, his name resonating far and wide. King Farouk of Egypt, a captivating character, captured the hearts and imaginations of the British people. Beyond the realm of imperial policy makers, his extravagant lifestyle and captivating private life became the subject of fascination for a broader audience, woven into the fabric of gossip columns, comedy sketches, cartoons, song lyrics, and novels. This captivating book delves into the rich narratives and representations of King Farouk found within British official and popular culture. It explores how these narratives vividly dramatized the retreat from empire, the ascendancy of celebrity journalism, the evolution of changing conceptions of masculinity and sexuality, the complex ambivalence towards the monarchy, the struggles of postcolonial exile, the flourishing of mass tourism, and the transformative post-war transition from austerity to abundance. By intertwining diplomatic history with the histories of popular culture and celebrity, Francis offers a holistic perspective on British culture during the era of decolonization. The diverse cultural and social tapestry of post-war Britain, characterized by sexual liberalization, "Americanization," consumer affluence, increased interaction with Europe, the emergence of new forms of mass leisure, and the rise of celebrity culture, unfolded in tandem with the dismantling of imperial rule. Studying King Farouk, therefore, unveils a fresh lens through which to understand the multifaceted and intricate ways in which Britain emerged as a postcolonial nation.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350345331