Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour stop in London for three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, was always circled in red on the pop culture calendar. London is a major hub, and there’s the celebrity factor, but also London is where she lived during her relationship with Joe Alwyn, he was the “London Boy” and yet not the only London boy, so the potential for gossip was high. And because she’s a very good gossip girl, Taylor delivered. 

 

In Taylor and Travis terms, though, I think I might have to revise the style guide. Season one of TNT was the fall and winter of 2023, with those weekend episodes at the NFL games, and the occasional international episode (Argentina), which is like the equivalent of a supersized Thanksgiving episode on network television. Think Friends, lol. 

It was a fairy tale ending for season one, at the Super Bowl, and after that, I’ve always talked about the months that followed as season two, which have been quieter and less regular on episode drops. But maybe that’s not the right away to see it. Maybe our seasons of TNT really do follow the NFL schedule and what we’re getting in between, like at Coachella and now this weekend in London, are special in-between season episodes, like the special episodes of Euphoria between seasons one and two. They were, for the most part, character studies that don’t necessarily advance the story but it’s great for fan service and in this case, the character here is the relationship itself, and why TNT works, at least so far. Because love’s a game, and they both wanna play. 

 

On Friday night, pop culture’s royal couple welcomed Prince William and his children, George and Charlotte, backstage at Wembley. And this is why Taylor Swift is such a gossip treasure – because what a goddamn flex. That’s two future kings of England and they’re HER guests in their hometown. But also note the caption in the photo she posted: 

It’s the lack of formality here that’s sending me… 

These British royals and their tight ass f-cking protocols and curtsies, but this popstar, who’s literally built her own metaverse that may actually be, by so many measures including economic and cultural impact, just as powerful if not more than the Crown, is casually calling the heir to the throne a “M8”… 

 

She really is the Queen in this picture, a Queen with her VIP fans. One of whom was seen dad-flailing in a suite during the show. 

This is what kills me about these people. I know William will never unclench his life long enough to show up anywhere in anything that isn’t a button-down but George is ten years old, soon to be eleven. Can’t a kid go to a concert in a t-shirt? Why are we making him wear a collar on a Friday night at a concert? 

 

But enough about them and back to the main character here – Taylor Swift, and choosing this moment to go Instagram Official with Travis Kelce which adds another layer of Queen sh-t to the story because she just shared a photo of herself with three members of the British royal family and her boyfriend, further positioning the three aristocrats as the SUPPORTING characters in this tableau. As in numbers three, four, and five on the call sheet or… if you will… the fame line of succession, haha, behind herself, and Travis, wearing a Team USA hat, LOL FOREVER, Taylor. 

Because you know another way you can see this? Taylor just made Prince William the stand-in representative of all the London Boys she’s left behind in favour of The Alchemy. Literally a lyric from that song: 

“Ditch the clowns, get the crown”

I am DEAD. 

And that was only Friday night. 

 

There were more stars on Saturday night, including Tom Cruise, in attendance with director Christopher McQuarrie, and not his own teen daughter, Suri Cruise, who just graduated high school without his last name on her diploma. I wonder, as he looked upon a huge crowd at Wembley full of young adults similar in age as his youngest child, if it might ever come to mind that this could have been an experience they had together – you know, if not for the whole cult thing. A petty ass thing to say, sure. But also, we’re at a Taylor Swift concert here. Petty is pretty much on brand. 

Finally, Sunday night, Taylor’s last show (until August) in London. Our stunt queen has found her stunt king and they pulled off the biggest stunt so far: 

@loves_e_passions

It was a success Taylor...❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#newheightshow #people #swifities #erastourtaylorswift #traviskelce #kelceandtaylor #pagesix #andgame #taylorswifterastour #tayvisnation #entertainment #newheights #tayvisnationtnt #chiefs

♬ I Can Do It With a Broken Heart - Taylor Swift
 

Swiftie Nation, and beyond, popped off. What a time to be Travis Kelce. From trying to get her number a year ago to being the first boyfriend in her catalogue to make it on stage in the most extra f-cking way possible… 

And as we all know, Taylor isn’t casual when it comes to these kinds of decisions. She knows exactly how her fans, in particular, read into moments like this and how they’ll be taken in the context of her legacy. Of course he was an instant heatscore the moment he stepped on stage. But you will note, the role he played in this cameo was entirely in service of her. She wasn’t singing to him like, “oh love of my life”, he was there to carry her, amuse her, touch her up, and generally just be her cheerleader, dancing for his life in a top hat and tails. Travis’s cameo centered Taylor, never forget who owns this spotlight.

This was his appeal when TNT first premiered last year. Travis Kelce not only understands where he stands, he has never tried to stand anywhere but where she wants him. And happily! For that you have earned the rights and privileges, Sir. For that she knighted her American prince on a London stage. 

Somewhere out there JLo is crying herself to sleep. 

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Taylor Swift was joined on stage by Travis Kelce and Gracie Abrams during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on June 23, 2024.
Photo credits: Gareth Cattermole/ TAS24/ Getty Images

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