I’m trying to figure out why the upcoming royal wedding between William and Kate is bothering me. I respect cultural traditions and don’t mind them being kept alive. And I love that the British royal family does a lot of work for charity. It’s just the concept of being “royal” in the first place that bugs me.
It’s probably because I grew up in the heartland of the United States, a country founded on freedom and rugged individualism. You have the freedom to achieve anything here if you are willing to work hard for it.
I was not born into privilege, old money or a celebrity family… every scrap of knowledge and material wealth I have today was won through trial and error and hard work. So the concept of being “born special” is kind of alien to me. Being dubbed a Prince right out of the womb seems so archaic, and so… unconstitutional.
I don’t mean to be a downer on all the festivities and I hope that the marriage works out (not such a great track record in that family.) And I also feel like apologizing to you Brits who grew up with the Queen’s face on your money. I had role models George Washington and Thomas Jefferson on my money.
I will give in and wish William and Kate a long reign, and I absolutely do not envy the glass bubble they are about to enter. Though William was born into privilege, he really has less freedom to do what he wants than I do.
I’ll join you in raising my glass to the proud royal tradition, but I won’t be getting up at 3am to watch the wedding. I’ll catch it later on youtube.
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Etch-a-Sketch portrait created by artist George Vlosich.
Agreed David. I haven’t paid a whip of attention to all this fuss about the royal wedding. The idea of a monarchy is so outdated. Interestingly enough, I remember watching Charles and Diana get married and used to be fascinated with Princess Di when I was a child. Now I am very disillusioned with all that has happened in that family.
Wake me up when King Arthur returns. I was the changing of the guard last summer, and was royally underwhelmed.
David,
I WILL be up at 3 am to watch the royal wedding, and here’s why.
Although I am long past believing that a flock of animated blue birds would help me prepare for the big day, this is my opportunity to see the young couple and fantasize about what it would be like if I was to marry a prince.
How lovely it would be to wear a stunning wedding gown with a very long train, gain a title, and wave to millions of smiling commoners from a balcony. I could go on…
But as sure as London fog, I am never going to marry a prince. So next Friday, for just one day, let me enjoy my “happily ever after” fantasy.