April 30, 2011
Editor:
Dave Uphoff
I must admit I watched the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton this past Friday. Guys are not supposed to admit they watch such sentimental, teary-eyed, melodramatic, romantic events. However, I really enjoy the pageantry which only the British can deliver in such a grand and opulent, yet tasteful style. Like most people who watched the wedding, it was a time to immerse ones self in a fairy tale world that only a few can actually live in.One of the reasons I enjoy watching the wedding is to enjoy the beautiful architecture of not just Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace but also London itself. London is the most architecturally wonderful city in the world and is a must visit for those who yearn to travel. To hear the tolling of the bells at Westminster Abbey sends chills down your spine.
The British Monarchy is really the world's monarchy as evidenced by the 2 billion people who watched the wedding on television. Kings have been coronated at Westminster Abbey for over 1000 years. Britain's monarchy has stood the test of time and while not relevant in the politics of Britain it certainly is relevant to the image of Britain. When one thinks of manners, sophistication, culture and style, one thinks of the British. Some may call it snobbery but I think the British Monarchy is an important tradition that gives a sense of permanence to British culture. It reminds me that Americans too used to have style and manners, dressing up not just for weddings but also for church, birthday parties, and even baseball games.
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Prince William looked dashing in his red uniform and the bride was beautiful with her very elegant and tasteful wedding gown. It probably was a bitter-sweet day for Prince William as the last big event in the Abbey was the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana. Hopefully, Catherine can win the hearts and minds of the world as did Princess Diana. It is my opinion most people would prefer to see Prince William become the next King instead of his father Prince Charles. Charles and his universally disliked wife Camilla are not well perceived after revelations of his extra-marital affair before Princess Diana's untimely death. However, it is unlikely I will live long enough to see Prince William become King as his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, shows no signs of slowing down - her mother, Queen Mary, lived to be almost 100 - and Prince Charles could conceivably live another 25 years. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, being the first true commoner in 300 years to marry into British Royalty, is a beautiful woman who realized a fairy tale dream. Let us hope she fares better with the Royal family than did Princess Diana. I am sure Prince William does not look upon Catherine as a breeding vessel for the Monarchy as was so indelicately suggested when Prince Charles married Diana. They truly looked like they were in love with each other and we hope their lives will be played out in the fairy tale fashion we all wish for and so much want to believe in.
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