He is who everybody wants to be.  He's the town celebrity that makes everybody stare as he passes by and stutter when he talks to them.  Richard Cory is revered like a king.  

Richard Cory is not a king, but he essentially symbolizes that role to the people of the town.  It's why the narrator uses so many kingly and royal words to describe Richard Cory.  Words like "crown," "imperially," "glittered," and "king" are all used to describe Richard Cory.  

What I find most interesting about Richard Cory as a kingly symbol of wealth is that the symbolism teaches a very cautionary message.  Richard Cory is so wealthy and graceful, and the townspeople are in such awe of him that Richard Cory is an incredibly lonely and distanced person.  Readers are told that Cory makes huge efforts to be treated like a regular member of the town.  He goes to town, doesn't dress fancy, and talks about normal topics.  He's trying to engage the people of the town, yet they never quite accept him; therefore, he's lonely.  Eventually, he commits suicide to end his loneliness; therefore, I also see Richard Cory's wealth as symbolic of depression and loneliness.  His money simply couldn't buy him happiness and acceptance.