There's Still A Cult In Vanutau That Worships Prince Philip.

https://twitterwithbraincells.blogspot.com/2022/09/prince-philip-and-cult-of-wasteman.html

Which makes for a mildly interesting talking point about European Colonialism.

When James Cook introduced European Colonialism to the Pacific Islands. The belief amongst the local people was that the giving of a gift established a debt. Essentially buying the loyalty of the person receiving the gift.

So the person who was able to give out the most gifts would indebt the loyalty of the most people. Essentially making them King.

The people who had no gifts to give out, the wastemen, were obligated to loyally serve the King.

Which isn't actually that different from the thinking of European Monarchies, then and now.

If and when Britain's King Charles III is formally coroneted. Then those in attendance, along with the armed forces, will be given Coronation Medals. A version of the new Monarch throwing coins into the crowd gathered at their coronation. Which got a bit rioty.

Then there's the practice of; "Maundy Money." In which the Christian Monarch hands out coins to the poor of Maundy Thursday.

So rather than having European Colonialism imposed on them by force. The Pacific Islanders own belief system caused them to think they should pledge their loyalty to the Europeans. Due to all the gifts they brought with them. Gifts that had been plundered and pillaged from elsewhere.

They came to believe that these gifts actually came from their ancestors. Only had been misdirected into the hands of the European Colonialists.

So if they emulated the rituals of the European Colonialists. Such as putting Christian Crosses up everywhere. Or marching around in martial formations, wearing silly clothes and carrying sticks like muskets. Then their ancestors would deliver the gifts straight to them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult

It's certainly no stranger than the current western practice.

Of worshipping people who, clearly, have absolutely nothing to offer.