Why the Royal Wedding Matters

Source: Daily Mirror

I didn't get up at 3am to watch but I did watch the whole ceremony later in the morning and some of the additional coverage. And watched the comments on Facebook with interest.

I saw a lot of criticism of those who were interested in the Royal Wedding. Why should we care? Do we really want to encourage our daughters to be princesses? They lived together first, which completely diminished the significance. And all of the other reasons.

First, this wedding matters most to the British people and their idea of country. I lived in London for 3 months during the modern nadir of the British royalty when all the filthy details about Charles and Camilla were coming to light. The Brits were abhorred by the treatment Diana received at the hands of her in-laws and they were disgusted at Charles. Kate & William bring to them hope, for the Royal Family, which is entwined with their idea of country. When I tried to join in a discussion of my British friends dissing on the Royal Family, I was met with cold stares. So I asked why. I will never forget the comeback: "How do you feel about your flag?" (Thankfully, my flag doesn't commit adultery...but I did get the point.)

There was a moment when the planes were buzzing Buckingham Palace and the Royal Family was out there watching. The BBC commentator said: Those people in the streets, the British people, they do not forget that when the bombs were falling during World War II, this family STAYED in London.  So Charles' disgrace was painful to his people, and his mother, who remembered how true the Windsors had been to duty and to England. Charles failed to be true to himself when he was talked out of pursuing Camilla by his uncle who said she wasn't royal material, and then he failed to be true to his wife and sons later. He played around with duty, without really understanding what it meant. (I do not doubt that Charles has paid dearly for his sins and he and Camilla chose to say a prayer asking for forgiveness at their own wedding ceremony in 2005.)

Second, that Kate and William did choose to marry at all, is a tribute to their ultimate belief in the institution of marriage. Yes, I think they shouldn't have lived together first. But while it was wrong, I think their reasons were right. So I have to have a little grace. Marriage is scary, difficult and uncertain. Marriage into the House of Windsor is downright terrifying. Kate goes into this marriage as a commoner; to a nation and people that still clearly divide nobility from commoners, she is the underdog in this family. Her hope is in the love of her husband and his respect for her to help her make a life among the very people who one generation ago declared Camilla's heritage not quite noble enough. (Though she had her personal reputation stacked against her too.) And if Kate should be scared, there is William. He didn't exactly grow up in a home watching warm, loving marriages. He watched his mother's terrible pain over his father's indiscretions and lack of love to her; both of his grandfathers were known philanders; all but one of his aunts and uncles has been divorced. True, he might be a selfish guy who thinks fidelity isn't part of the deal. But I don't think so. I think he cares about Kate and waiting was a test to see if he was up to it; if she was up to it. I think they care and they will give this everything they have.

Third, the cult of royalty has a strong following. Kate understands what it means to be real royalty.  I want my daughters (and son) to realize that there is a difference between Disney princesses and being royal. True royalty seeks the best in people, helps the underprivileged, puts duty over desire, and courage over safety. The prayer that William and Kate wrote together clearly exemplified their commitment to help their people and all people, their desire to serve rather than just be served. In a spiritual sense, we should all remember that. To be children of the King means to serve.

My favorite line from the wedding was this one by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres: “In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them unto the future.”

And it was that which made me reflect on my own prince, my own wedding day, and I wished for Kate and Wills to have half the joy that we have had. That would be enough.