I’m happy for Kate Middleton. Really, I am.
She’s found the man of her dreams, a prince no less. And today, watched by family and friends, and 
millions of people around the world, she will walk down the aisle with him by her side.
She’s lucky. Only a few women get to have that fairy tale come true.
I’m happy for her family, too. By dint of hard work, they were able to turn an idea into a lucrative business earning them millions in the process.
That put them on firm footing financially so that they could afford to send their daughter to a good school where she was able to meet and snag her prince.
And so today, as they celebrate their good fortune and destiny revealed, I am pleased for them.
But that happiness is tempered by the reality nearly 3 million Britons are out of work, that services including medical and mental are being cut and libraries are closing.
And if that isn’t enough, they will be picking some of the tab for the 48 million dollar wedding. (It costs British taxpayers nearly 67 million annually to keep the royals in the style to which they’re entitled. So, even with the family promising to pick up part of the tab, it’s still taxpayers’ money.) Add that to the 10 million dollar that the designation of today as a national holiday will cost and the tally rises.
Even though I don’t live in Britain, when I look at these numbers, I find it difficult to be celebratory.
And it seems I’m not the only one. Reports say nearly 80% of Britons claim they don’t care about the big day either.
Can we blame them? Come April 30th, they’ll still be out of work and watching their standard of living continuing to deteriorate.
So while I wish the couple happiness and a long life together, I will not be watching their wedding today.
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I heard that one of the palaces the Queen and her hubby resides in has 700 rooms. That’s jaw dropping!
And insane!
I didn’t watch it also cuz I’m not that interested as expected. And I agree with you regarding the stark contrast of their expensive wedding with the situation of “common” people.
Excellent post!
So sorry that you missed the wedding, it was alittle piece of History in the making. I am sure that the majority whose lives are affected by the size of the public purse would not begrudge this younge couple their day. Yes theur family money does make their lives easier than ours but where they to give it all away today or yesterday would mine or your lives be any different, I doubt it. Pound for pound I would guess that as a country we will probably earn as much as we spend on our Royals who in General lead kind, generouse lives. How many of us spend time trawling hospitals etc taking the time to show a little kindness to strangers?
I am sorry if you are dissapointed by them and do i detect a little envy?
I don’t begrudge them their lives neither am I envious. There would be no the point.
Thanks, Theresa!
More like an ocean!
Wow, that is beyond insane.
How do they justify their worth anyway?
Oh Marcia – I watched much of the wedding and was totally overwhelmed by how many people had turned out to see the spectacle. I have a sister and family in London and of course, they are not in the same league as the Royals; they don’t have much money but I don’t think any of them begrudged the money spent on this wedding. I think it is just what Britain needs at the moment. They are really in the doldrums aren’t they and so anything that gives them some cheer should be encouraged.
I too am sorry that you are disappointed – but how else can a future King of England celebrate his wedding to the woman of his choice.
Judith
Oh Marcia – I forgot to mention that I have nominated you for a Versatile Bloggers Award – http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/one-award-one-wedding-great-celebrations/.
Hi Judith,
I also have a sister and family in London, just came back from there as a matter of fact. I spoke to quite a few people while I was there who are out of work. I learned that my sister’s neighbor was laid off for the 5th time in 2 years. The library in their neighborhood is also closing.
It is against this backdrop that I view the wedding.
I hear the argument about lifting people’s spirits. But isn’t it just a temporary fix, a diversion? Come tomorrow, their situations would not have changed.
For the record, I never watched Charles and Diana’s either.
OMG, Judith. Thank you!
I’ll have to check that out. Thanks again,
Marcia
There’s no question that it is history (British history). I hear that, recognize it as well.
I do think Kate and William make a beautiful couple. It’s nice to see William with someone who clearly makes him happy, especially after he lost his mother. Nothing wrong with that.
I still find it hard to square how in this day, we think it’s okay that a minority of people can be so extravagant when so many more people are suffering. That’s the point I’m making.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment,
Marcia
I too see the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton-as seeing History made. I wish them luck. I appreciate the dow to earth ways of both of them. I think Kate will always hold her own, she’s a little like Diana and I think Britain will soon see that discovery. I think that is lots of money to spend for a wedding, but I do see the value of Prince William and Kate Middleton having their day, and sharing it with the world.
I hear you Marcia and being a Brit myself, I totally get what you are saying. I live in the US and I watched the nuptials with my twin teens; we thoroughly enjoyed it but what you wrote was in the back of my mind. Actually another friend and I, a Brit too, had this exact conversation later in the day. It is ironic isn’t it? All that extravaganza juxtaposed with joblessness, inflation and grimness…
I wish them both happiness in their marriage and I do hope things improve for all everywhere. The economic downturn is everywhere and it is hard to read about mega million dollar events without it giving one pause…
I was born in Jamaica, a former British colony. I grew up in a country that went crazy whenever any of the Royals visited, even for a day. I was 6 the first time the Queen visited and stood in the broiling sun waiting in my uniform to wave the flag as her motorcade passed.
When Diana married Charles, my mom woke up at 4 a.m. to watch. I stayed in my bed. I couldn’t understand why she could/would wake up to watch someone, not her daughter, get married. (Come to think of it, maybe it was because I hadn’t gotten married why she felt the need to? Nah, my mom loved all things royal) I loved Diana, was sad and shocked when she died, mourned for her two young boys.
I have nothing against them but it still bothers me. It’s not fair. Taxpayers should not have had to pay for security when they already pay DEARLY for the privilege of having a royal family. The families – the Royals and Middletons — have enough to foot the entire bill. You would have had to pay the bill if it had been your child. Why do they continue to get special treatment?
I don’t have the answer. I just think it’s really unfair. It hit home especially because I met people who’re unemployed and underemployed. When do they get a break???