Plummy TV royals expert is Italian-American from New York
Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills, born Tommy Muscatello, says he identifies as a Brit
A “British” royal family expert who appeared on TV sharing tips to help Meghan Markle blend into her life as a royal has been “outed” as an Italian-American from New York.
With his tweed suit, treble-barrelled name and cut-glass vowels, Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills’s appeal to foreign news networks covering the royal wedding was understandable.
Although unfamiliar to most UK viewers, overseas the 38-year-old “has built a media persona over recent years as one of Britain’s authorities on the royalty”, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the run-up to the royal wedding, the seemingly stereotypical aristocrat appeared on TV channels across Europe and the US, sharing his insights into what Meghan Markle could expect from her new life as the Duchess of Sussex.
In one interview on Norwegian TV, he sternly advised the former Suits star to focus on “making sure that the traditions and heritage that we have as British people remain at the forefront”, The Guardian reports.
In reality, however, the plummy-voiced pundit was Italian-American Thomas “Tommy” Muscatello, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Obsessed with Britain from a young age, Muscatello said he first adopted an English accent while living in his hometown of Bolton Landing, New York state.
After moving permanently to the UK in 2012, the Anglophile threw himself into developing his desired identity as Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills, a name he says he created using the surnames of extended family members.
To further bolster his British credentials, Muscatello “has an agreement with two unrelated elderly British people who let him call them his grandparents”, says The Daily Telegraph.
The founder of the British Monarchist Society and Foundation and publisher of royal-watcher magazine Crown and Country, Muscatello appears at monarchist conferences and even helped organise a Serbian royal wedding in 2017.
Despite his origins, Muscatello says he “identifies” as British rather than American - a comment which drew mocking comparisons on social media to Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who claimed to be African-American on the grounds that she identified as black.
Being exposed as a “phony” Brit did not appear to disturb Muscatello, who told the WSJ that “Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills” was more than a persona.
“I found where I’m supposed to be and who I am supposed to be,” he said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The rise and fall of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
In Depth Duchess of York said the family is ‘a united front’ despite Epstein scandal
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Meghan Markle: the rules she must follow as a royal
In Depth The Duchess of Sussex has to ditch ‘commoner’ habits including taking selfies and wearing colourful nail varnish
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Is Meghan Markle really the new Wallis Simpson?
In Depth The former actress’s wedding car was the same model that carried Wallis Simpson to her husband’s funeral
By The Week Staff Published
-
Meghan Markle’s first public appearance as the Duchess of Sussex - photos
In Depth British designer Goat’s website crashes after new royal wears their dress to Buckingham Palace garden party
By The Week Staff Published
-
Could Meghan Markle become queen... or US president?
In Depth Duchess of Sussex might miss out on British throne but is rumoured to have her eyes on the White House
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Prince Harry and Meghan vs. Prince William and Kate: the official wedding photos
Speed Read Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted for celebrity snapper Alexi Lubomirski to capture their big day
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Royal wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s flowers sent to hospice as ‘lovely’ surprise gift
Speed Read Flowers from Windsor Castle ceremony sent to charities around the UK, but bridal bouquet follows a special royal tradition
By The Week Staff Published
-
Meghan Markle’s mother to meet the Queen: what to expect
Speed Read Doria Ragland, 61, is having tea with Her Majesty at Windsor this afternoon
By The Week Staff Published