Thomas J. Mace-Archer-Mills has been on TV programs for years as a British expert on the royal family.

But ... his actual name is Thomas Muscatello and he's from upstate New York.

He's still an expert on the monarchy, though, and has been obsessed with it for years, he told INSIDER.



In the lead-up to the royal wedding between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Thomas J. Mace-Archer-Mills, Esq. was a TV fixture. Wearing tweed caps and bowties, he identified as an expert on the monarchy and spoke in a posh British accent.

As it turns out, Mace-Archer-Mills is originally an Italian-American guy, born as Thomas Muscatello, from upstate New York. He adopted his accent as an affectation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Mace-Archer Mills told INSIDER he identifies as British. He legally changed his name and sees British-ness as a cultural institution, not simply a legal nationality.

"When one has found where they are and who they are supposed to be, taking on cultural identity become a practice," he told INSIDER in an email. "Being British is an institution in its own right — citizenship is irrelevant. My accent is what it is. Prime Minister Thatcher also had elocution lessons as did King George VI."

Mace-Archer-Mills speaking in a French television interview. British Monarchist Society and Foundation/YouTube

He said he developed a lifelong fascination with the monarchy growing up, when he heard stories of kings, queens, and knights. It became a professional pursuit when he Incorporated the British Monarchist Society in 2012.

And to be fair, Mace-Archer-Mills does seem to be a genuine expert on the monarchy. He's not just a grifter American posing as an aristocratic pundit. Through the British Monarchist Society and publishes Crown and Country magazine, which covers royal topics, and recently launched the Royal Coin, a "Royal-themed cryptocurrency." He told the Wall Street Journal he identifies as more British than American, he's applying to British citizenship, and he found an elderly British man and woman who agreed he can call them his grandparents.

But his roots are in Bolton Landing, New York, which he left at 17. He's been obsessed with the royals since he was a kid. While acting in "Oliver" in a high school theatrical production, he learned all about Georgian-era history.

"[Tommy] was also able to learn and duplicate a British accent and the appropriate mannerisms for his character, again all from his own research," his high school music teacher told the Journal.

Mace-Archer-Mills on Phoenix, a Chinese news network. Phoenix/British Monarchist Society/YouTube

Mace-Archer Mills also carved out a job for himself as a royal consultant. He works with the Serbian royal family to advise on royal "running of households" and said he's worked with a member of Qatar's royal family in the past.

And his British accent, it seems, is stuck.

"I said to Tommy: 'Can't you speak in your regular American accent?'" his father, Thomas Muscatello Sr., told the Wall Street Journal. "He said it's hard for him. This is his accent now."

Mace-Archer Mills said that since the Journal published its article, he's received both messages of support as well as negative comments from people who newly learned about his background. He's proud of all the organization-building and traveling he's done for "a small town guy."

"I have built many good things, helped and still do help with charities and have created an organization that I am proud of, which is an international organization for those who like, support and feel proud of the British Monarchy," he told INSIDER.

Mace-Archer-Mills in a video address to the members of the 2015 Australian Monarchist League Conference. British Monarchist Society and Foundation/YouTube

The negativity is uncalled for.

"Of course there are haters and negative people out there, but these people do not know me or what I have been through in life," he said. "I have seen plenty of bulling today and horrible things aimed at my person by people I do not even know, and have never met. I have seen today the very ugly side of humanity and it makes me very sad."

His American roots, he says, do not disqualify his expertise.

"I do not see how being American negates my knowledge, my know how, my drive and charitable endeavors," Mace-Archer Mills told INSIDER. "As well as my desire to educate and promote the positive and dignified attributes of a system of government which so many people in America itself respect, idolize and wish they could have."

In the end, Mace-Archer-Mills just isn't sure what the big fuss is all about.

"I am not sure what makes this such an exciting story," he said. "I have really been trying to get my head around it

all day. I am not a film star, I am not a celebrity and I do not expect to be treated as if I am. I just know my subject well, am passionate about it and educate about it when I am asked to do so."

This story has been updated to reflect Mace-Archer-Mills's response.