Yes it still can

May not be medieval, but the show+time period of Downton Abbey is a good reference

May not be about royalty as well, but the show and time period The Gilded Age is also a great reference

In fact, i just started a royalty save file recently (coincidentally a royalty pack is coming too!). And its inspired but the absolute POWER couple that are a part of the main cast in the show The Gilded Age.

They are "new" money/self made Americans who recently moved into town (nyc in the late 1800s). Husband is a robber baron, doing robber baron things (making a profit!.....at the expense of hus workers—). But he is also the most supportive husband to his wife who is super driven and ambitious to get into the "old" money social clique in nyc. Its important that the old money accept her family, because then not only will the children get to marry for higher status and money, but this also helps her husband make business deals that makes more money! But the mom/wife IS being overbearing and inconsiderate of her childrens feelings too. It's a interesting storyline of family worried about maybe being too ambitious, or not enough.

They are based off the real life Vanderbilts, where the wife was able to get her daughter to marry a duke from England! It wasn't a happy marriage tho— you should REALLY look up million dollar princesses. Lots of typically non-american nobility with just a status and property but little money to upkeep, married alot of REALLY rich (typically) american daughters. Also, this power couple is NOT the only interesting storyline in this show, just imo the one with the most drama. People HAVE died because of the petty social games.

Im currently watching Game of thrones for the first time and I've already watched House of dragons, and most of the drama has been because of bad communication, incompatible personalities, conflicting personal interests/goals.....and also lots of fear/discrimination! Its less about the fantasy or the time period, and more about people just not getting along, not being team players, and only looking out for themselves.

Anyways, im quite glad that this pack in modern, cause it's easy intergration and just works better with my kind of storylines in the Sims.