Royal Musings

  • I did not wake up any earlier than usual today.  When my alarm went off at 5:30, I pulled my phone off my iHome charger and checked my Twitter feed (without getting out of my bed), like I always do.  When I was reminded that today was the day of the Royal Wedding, I turned over to Tim, who was also awake and said, “Do you mind if I turn on the TV?”  To which he replied, “What?  Why?”  And I said, “The Royal Wedding!  I want to see Kate’s dress!”  After which he groaned and rolled out of bed and left the room as fast as he could.  He, unlike me, wanted absolutely no part in the royal hubbub.

I later asked him if he was so vehemently opposed to the British royal affair because he is Irish.  He just laughed and shook his head.

I participated in this piece of pop culture history like I’ve participated in pretty much every piece of pop culture history.  I ignored  and didn’t participate in most of the hype, but I tuned in for the event.  Sort of like the Seinfeld series finale.  I hadn’t watched a single episode, but felt the need to participate in the “making of history” and so tuned in for the last show.

Throughout the Royal Wedding countdown, I was not envious of Kate Middleton in the least.  I mean, I felt enough stress and pressure without being scrutinized an analyzied every step of the way.  And the wedding, although beautiful, was so steeped in tradition and hierarchy that it’s difficult to imagine a flaming liberal American such as myself in this princess fantasy. 

I would like to share a few notes on the analysis I heard this morning, though, because I found bits of the commentary very interesting:

  • As pointed out by Jillian, it’s both sad and interesting that it is considered newsworthy that Kate (and many women) choose not to vow to obey their husbands.
  • The commentators on CBS kept talking about the equality of this ceremony, and how modern that all was.  And then they kept talking about how equal this marriage between Kate and William is.  While they were still in the church.  I wonder how these commentators know how their marriage will be.  The type and style and content of a wedding ceremony does not equal the type and style and content of a marriage.  While recognizing that the ceremony is a step forward in the sense of equality, let’s keep in mind that their equal partnership is yet to be seen.
  • I kept hearing commentators refer to “Prince William and the no longer Kate Middleton” as they circled through London on their carriage.  This, to me, is offensive.  Even if her name did change, she’s still the same Kate!  If I had changed my name, I’d hope people wouldn’t refer to me as “the no longer Ashley S_____.”!  And this amongst all this talk about equality.  Yikes!

But, Kate was beautiful and they both looked so happy and in love, which is what weddings are all about, right?  I think the whole thing was gorgeous and happy and I’m glad I saw it.

Did you watch the Royal Wedding this morning?  What were your thoughts?

3 replies on “Royal Musings”

  1. minna on

    I most likely will be changing my surname when my partner and I get around to the whole marriage bit, but anyone who refers to me as “no longer Minna Wotsit” will get a large piece of my mind launched directly at their face >:(

  2. I enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding from the preparation to the waiting of the bride to the ceremony and to the final two kisses. Kate sister’s dress was so stunningly beautiful and of course, Kate’s dress was elegant and yet so simple. She is so natural looking. As a dude, I was also quite amazed about the colorful hats the women wore – it was like watching a Monet painting in HD. Those hats add texture to the dress worn. I really admired Harry and William; their brotherly charm and respect for each other were duly noted in their candor.

  3. bitchy_ on

    .i’m from the philippines 🙂 and i also watched the royal wedding . i was terribly sicked that time but i didn’t exchange it for the world , i mean the wedding .. i am sooo happy for the both of them . dutchess of campbridge kate is sooo stunningly beautiful as well as her sister philippa 🙂 i can’t help smilling when i saw prince harry teasing his brother when kate is walking down the aisle 😀 and also , did you notice it ? when prince charles hold his wife Camilla’s grandaughter , Eliza Lopes ? such a nice scene 🙂