Some of us remember the spectacle of Charles and Diana’s wedding. We were glued to our televisions, with the sense that we were watching history – and equally – the unfolding of a love story.
We were right on the former, but as for the latter – not so much.
And here it is, thirty years later, and the announcement of another royal event has me shuddering at the passage of the years. But also, at how the world has changed.
Oh, there’s much to consume in the daily dose of media coverage. We know that Kate is solidly “middle class” (how exciting for those of us without noble blood), the date has been set (April 29), recent news indicates that some 100 random citizens will be selected to attend (akin to winning the lottery?), and of course, there’s speculation on the wedding dress.
Might I add that it was a British bishop who gave them seven years before their union dissolves?
I suppose it was inevitable that someone lay odds, though I find it a tad tackier coming from a clergyman. Though he apologized afterward, his gaff (on Facebook, yet!) has resulted in his being asked to resign, according to the last tidbit I saw on this topic. I may bear my own healthy portion of cynicism, but couldn’t we be kinder to these two, despite the fact that divorce has rocked the House of Windsor?
Be still my sentimental girlish heart. I admit, I’m crazy about a good wedding (and the parade of fashions). However… (yes, here it comes). The reality of the state of the world – and the state of my bank accounts – leaves me largely indifferent to this event. One of my favorite journalists at Politics Daily offers her own Bah Humbug opinion with far wittier words than I could possibly muster, but I am definitely of the “light coverage” camp.
And here’s my bottom line, concerning the bottom line.
While everyone loves a love story, even if this lavish event is less extravagant than the (estimated) $48 million wedding of Charles and Diana, and even if a significant portion is reportedly to be paid for by private (royal) funds, I have difficulty swallowing the inevitable price tag to come out of anyone’s pocket. Royalty or not. Or is that my frugal New England upbringing speaking, rather than an English one?
These remain crushing economic times for many, and a period of continued austerity in Britain. Could a few million be saved by cutting down on the height of the floral arrangements, or cutting back on the number of poo poo platters passed around the reception? And how many homes could be saved with such a sum? How many college educations funded?
I know. Apples and oranges, you’ll tell me. This is the royal family, you’ll insist. Heads of state will be attending. No pigs in blankets. No paper napkins.
Quite.
I understand that a celebration of this magnitude engenders a sense of optimism and renewal on a national, even international scale. And no doubt, numerous sectors will benefit from a bustle of activity which will generate revenues over the next six months.
But personally, I tend to see life as a series of exchanges – in relationships, in the workplace, and in choices we make as individuals, daily. Those choices and trade-offs form the building blocks of our real and popular culture, as well as our collective conscience and consciousness. But my mind goes straight to the expenditures, to the good that could be done with just a fraction of those monies.
Now, I recall the complications of planning my own little wedding (and all the constituencies pushing and pulling and ultimately inflating the cost); I cannot begin to imagine the challenges of producing this sort of public event. But as in a “real world” wedding, at the end of the day, there is often a mandate to cut 10%.
What if the royal family were to do the same, and channel those funds into something that would make a difference in real lives?
What can I say. I’m a dreamer. But that would be a fairy tale worth witnessing. At the very least, maybe William and Kate could take a page out of Chelsea Clinton’s book, give her buzz, and have a nice chat. Perhaps the future King and his bride could fête their new beginning in appropriate splendor rather than ungodly excess.
It is going to be interesting to see what they do – How much will they put into it. I can’t imagine the pressure that she will face or the challenges that arise.
I remember the weddings of Charles and Andrew… fairy tales that looked wonderful, but like the stories that bare the same name, are far more than what meets the eye.
And wow – what they could do with the money that will be spent… and yet this is the same question I ask when I learn of the salary received by professional athletes or spent on political campaigns in this country…
Have a warm Thanksgiving filled with love!
I was so enamored by Charles and Diana’s wedding. I was a little who stayed up late to watch the wedding with my mom. I made a scrapbook to commemorate their wedding. It was a fairytale in theory, the substance of the marriage a gift to the media and the press. I worry about her son and his new fiancee. The pressure of marriage is sometimes too much for everyday people; they have other issues to consider along with their impending marriage. I am pulling for the fairytale, but my cynical nature knows that might be too good to be true.
Happy Thanksgiving BLW filled with reasons to celebrate!
Better watch it, BLW. Someone’s going to accuse you of being a socialist!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
I was waiting for a remark like that. 🙂 I am an avowed capitalist. However, my New England roots reflect a distaste for (what I consider) excess or waste, especially when responsible use of money can do so much more good. That would allow more people to go shoe shopping, no?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
I agree that $48 million is a bit much, most especially in these economic times. But sometimes we need a dose of fantasy, a bit of the fairy tale, to release us from our everyday concerns and worries. I’m sure I will be glued if the ceremony is televised because I’m just a sucker for things like that. I will hope that the time spent dating and with each other before this formal engagement will bode well for their permanence and that maybe, just maybe, the bride will be allowed to be her modern woman person and Will will have the sense to allow her to be. And to stand up to the Queen Mother and her court.
As to the amounts professional athletes make and what’s spent on political campaigns – that definitely needs to be changed!
Yes, a dose of fantasy can be good. Maybe with a more reasonable price tag? And here’s wishing them both the best, as you say – and letting Kate be Kate. Perhaps the world is more ready for that now than 30 years ago.
Have a wonderful holiday, Carol.
Ah yes, the latest buzz on the royal fete. I’ve been trying to ignore the tabloids in the grocery store checkout line, if only because it feels like a breach of privacy to look! I can’t imagine going through the process of getting engaged and planning a wedding while being watched by the rest of the world. It’s a lot of pressure.
Happy Thanksgiving, BLW.