Friday, April 29, 2011

A New Start Day For Royalty

Getting up at 4 a.m. for royalty is no easy feat. The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge (aka Prince Williams and Catherine, aka Will & Kate) were married today at 6:15 a.m. (ET) with 2 billion people watching from across the globe. This very choreographed event had a few loop holes, which were encouraging to those of us who live for the unknown, unplanned moments.

Here are some of my own observations:

>28,000 tulips planted for the event, bloomed too early.
>Depite forecasts for rainy weather, the sun came out just as Middleton's vehicle pulled up in front of Westminster Abbey.
>The postman, pub owner, and butcher were invited to the wedding; heads of states were not.
>Proof that life goes on in so many different ways. Traveling the long road from that sad, sad day in August 1997, when Princess Diana died, her unseen, staying influence on today: from her life lessons to modernizing the monarchy--wearing more of their feelings on their sleeves and remaining visible to their public. Also, the preparatory time for her son with his future wife (vs. the 13 times Diana met Charles before their wedding day), who began as friends.
>Will not seeing his future wife until she was at the alter.
>The occasion gave me a fresh sense about weddings, as a symbol of new birth, when the bride (egg) is delivered from the father (sperm)to the younger man (a younger sperm).
>They are marrying on her saint's day (Saint Catherine of Siena).
>Catherine is no longer wearing the engagement ring of Princess Diana, but the ring William put on her finger. [She didn't put one on his during the ceremony? Or did I miss that?]
>A new beginning for the monarchy in the 21st century. A sense of foregiveness for their past.
>The "gold" fixed traditions of the monarchy complement the "silver," fluid, ongoing changes of government.
>2 kisses by the royal newlyweds from the balcony of Buckingham Palance.
>Next great occasion of pomp and circumstance: Prince of Wales' coronation.
>Acknowlegment and support sent by wedding guests, also part of Will's search and rescue unit, to the efforts going on in the southern parts of the U.S. (especially Alabama), ravaged two days earlier by tornadoes.

Suggested sources:
>TIME magazine article about Will & Kate [March/April 2011--find date].
>Lifetime movie, "William & Kate," which skirts around all the former boyfriends and girlfriends, and focuses on their relationship's highs and lows.