I think it's got a little bit of cringe factor, but I'd rather see this than the club not trying new things with its marketing. And the new marketing officer is certainly doing good things promoting the club.
I only hate it because I'm an ardent republican. And I'm a middle-aged bloke who doesn't buy into the Royal fantasy - which is probably like a large part of the SANFL audience.
And...living and working out this way, I know that the community still has a massive interest in the Royal Family as there are lots of people talking about it, although mostly older people. I've heard lots of people talk about their plans to watch it. Including my effing mother in law.
amp;
Recently, I was involved in the visit of a relatively minor Royal and there was lots and lots of interest from local.
As for the club's history, I don't understand Michael's point in the initial post about "given the club's history". Sadly (for me), it's entirely appropriate to try this sort of marketing. The club's English roots are very well known and still very obvious (including in the soccer chants that we've been derided for for most of our history, but I note some Crows supporters are now using).