So, the gossip goes that tomorrow, that Kate Middleton girl will marry some chap who's a Prince and called Wills, or William... or something...
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| Nailing the bridal look... |
At the announcement of their engagement I cried. Not because it was so romantic and I was being sentimental. Far from it. I cried because it seemed so cold and ritualistic. Imagine being proposed to, feeling light as air, and then having a sudden lead balloon added to the mix as you have to go to a press conference and be papped near to epilepsy. I found the whole process rather sterile and couldn't help thinking how the happy couple really feel about it all? Engagement must be overwhelming as it is, engagement and then having your retinas burnt by flash bulbs and ear canals blown by interviews takes it to another level.
I know that they are high profile, as a future Monarch you are expected to have this attention, it's part of the gig. But in the past, before the mass media and invention of high def TV, Royal Weddings could be broadcast to the masses yet still keep a sense of intimacy and magic for those involved. Now the whole wedding countdown seems to be treated like a circus.
To me it appears the media haven't really spared a thought for the two folks whose day it actually is. I know it's natural for us all to be excited/intrigued as it's a piece of history we're living through. But surely it can be dealt, and anticipated, with a touch of diplomacy and class? Everyone, it seems, wants to have a piece of the action; cashing in by selling memorabilia or bantering inanely about the guest list and cost of security... yes it is a lot, but Wills and Kate are damned if they spend a lot and dammed if they spend a little. It'll be either...
"Have you seen that astronomical bill... what's that about austerity?"
or
"Tut tut tut, married in a church, not an Abbey? No guilt plated chandeliers, ice sculptures and matching turtle doves to release?!... skinflints"
I keep thinking how nerve wracking the event must be for the two people it's actually all about. I'm not married, but I imagine if I got married I would be a quivering wreck pre-ceremony. When I mentally add a guest list of royalty, diplomats and celebrities, billions of people watching me on the tellybox... oh and the Queen as my soon to be Granny... sod the cold feet I have frost bite!
So please, whilst you're enjoying your day off and revelling in the festivities, take a moment to remember that this day isn't really about you or the nation, but one couple's devotion and love. A love that has remained robust, not only through 8 years of run of the mill private dramas we all experience in relationships, but 8 years under public speculation. And that, in my opinion, is a rather big love that should be toasted to... not with regal nail decals, but with grace and class.
10 comments:
Hear hear! I just hope they're spared any protests or nasty incidents. It's so unfair to use this as a political event when they're just two 20 somethings in love.
I think you're right. (Hilarious pun by the way) However, she knew what she was getting into. And though she has spent the past seven or however many years being photographed, I think William's done a good job of shielding her. He lived through everything the media and the paps did to his mother. How could he not see how much she suffered because of it? He's taking a break form royal gigs and planning to live quietly with her for a while (two years I think?), so that's good.
I watched a really interesting documentary on the history of the Windsor family. When Elizabeth married Phillip, she was granted clothing ration coupons by the government to outfit her wedding party. She and her family spent the war years (and after the war) setting good examples of how to "make do and mend," and when she married, her family was set on a small, simple wedding. But then they were convinced to make a large, beautiful affair as a sort of show for the British people, and they loved it.
So we'll see. I tend to look at it as someone who has had a tough life (in a lot of ways) and will lead a life of responsibility who has found someone willing to share his life. It's lovely. I imagine they laugh and roll their eyes about all the circus.
When I got married, I was far away from most of my friends and family. I made my dress, made my vows, and showed up. I figured my MIL would know best how to throw a big party for their family and friends, and I was happy to be marrying my husband, and knowing we'd be together.
Well said Gemma! I remember watching when his mother was married, and I truly wish them a happy and blessed marriage.
You would think the states were never separated from the crown, with the media blitz about the impending Royal nuptials.
It just shows as a nation we love our English roots, and I think every girl loves a fairy tale wedding.
Such tempest in a teapot, non? Maybe I've become a jaded old bag since the era of Lady Di, but I can't help but feel that this all just further puts into question the legitimacy of the Royal system in the 21st century. Kate Middleton may love William and William may love Kate, but as long as the Royal family is fighting to stay afloat at a time when their relevancy is suspect, the two will never be able to enjoy the basic facets of life we "commoners" perhaps take for granted. They are key players in the big campaign to keep the Royal reputation fresh-faced, literally connected to the people (since Will is marrying a non-aristocrat), and stylish.
As for the commodification of Wills and Kate, some of which the Royals signed off on, a lot of which they did not: I say YUCK!!! Sign of the times, I guess. A reflection of our hyperconsumerist culture and a culture that has such low self esteem it must turn every actor and supposed "important" person into an icon of style or ideal beauty. As long as people keep lapping it all up, this "machine" will continue to keep chugging along.
oh, fully aware of the irony/hypocrisy that I am self-fashioned a baroness :) In real life, I'm a Canadian...so clearly we don't have the same attachment to the royal system as people across the pond might (we've enjoyed the Queen as a figure head for some time, though, and she has made our money very pretty). HEHE
Thanks for the conments Lauren and Modiste- I was worried I'd get loads of backlash from this post, but I've been getting so annoyed seeing all of this consumerist tripe and dreadful interviews with "old friends" I had to get it off my chest! Steph and Baroness, I can see your points too. They both know what to expect, it is thier job, and on the flip side they get a pretty cushy deal from it all. I'm not a royalist neither am I anti royal. Not really sure what I am. If the royals were dissolved I'd find that odd, but only because it would be like breaking a habit, as they've been about all of my lifetime and hundreds of years before it. It's wierd to think that all those monarchs I learnt about at school and then the present monarchy could one day disappear. Maybe that means I'm a traditionalist, as they have become part of our culture? But then again, I look at the royal family and wobder what they actually do, and if it holds any relevance in todays society? It also appears they use up a lot of our economy. Ok they make it back in tourism, but I'm sure it still can't level out. Urgh I don't know. What I do know is that if I had my wedding splashed across the covers of magazines and shown to millions on telly I'd be bloody freaked out, in fact, I wouldn't sign up for that kind of gig. There you are, I'm a fool... as I renounce the possibility of ever being a princess!
P.S Baroness: You are entitled to call yourself Baroness, your fashion knowledege and vintage style deserves no better title ;)
very much agreed, miss.
xx
alexandra
I'd be interested to know your opinion now that the deed is done. Being in Canada, the wedding took place in the wee hours of the morning but I managed to stay up and watch! I thought she looked wonderful, so regal and elegant. I enjoyed the whole thing, the pomp and ceremony that only the British can do.
As for the monarchy I'm definitely a monarchist. As you say, they've been around for centuries. They are part of what makes Britain what it is, and Canada too. Yes, they cost Britain money, but they do work hard as patrons of many charities and as such they raise a lot of money and awareness. The Queen kept an extremely busy schedule on her trip here last year and she is 85 years old!
The wedding may have cost the country money (although the Royal Family and the Middletons paid a large amount), but it certainly created jobs making all those souveniers, it brought in money from all those Americans (and Canadians) who flew over and spent money on hotels and food. And judging from the mood of the crowd who gathered in front of Buckingham Palace, the people thoroughly enjoyed the event.
All I can say is Long Live the Queen, and the future King!
Jackie
http://windsor--rose.blogspot.com
Hello there Jackie,
I thought Kate (well, Catherine now) Looked an absolute vision and I loved the touches the couple and younger generation involved in the wedding planning brought to the day, such as the going away car, oh and those trees lining the aisle in Westminster Abbey looked sublime. overall the occasion gave me a feeling of hope and forward vision, which is what I think this country needs at the moment. My main rant about the day was the comercial tat that was produced to cash in on it (but I'm well aware that's human nature, where money can be made, it will be made). On my views about the Monarchy... I do know the Queen does a lot and is incredible for an 85 year old woman. All I think is a little odd is that although she has certain rights, there are many things a Monarch has absolutely no say upon, whislt in earlier years the Monarch had more of a say in all country led things. On one side this allows a ruler to remain impartial, thus meaning that any diplomatic visits are neutral and so forth (which is incredibly important in the fragile times we live in). On the other hand I look at it and think that for all the bills and charters the Queen reads every day, many of them she has no power in altering, even if she so desired, and that is where my confusion with the Monarchy comes in. It's not the Queens fault really. I just think that this country is in a bit of a political state and surely, that is when a Monarch should have the power to step in and use thier judgement? Especially one who has lived through so much and has learnt from history by living through it.
Like I said, that is not the Monarchy's fault, that is the fault of protocal.
P.S... I realise there needs to be a balance between Government and Monarchic ruling to keep the status quo... Tudor England wasn't great when the Monarch had more say, Cromwellian England wasn't much better with the Parliamentarians. It's a pickle.
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