About the Royal Wedding

[dancingdoc2]

I recorded something like six hours of this momentous occasion on two different channels and watched only the important parts. Who managed to sit thru it all?

I found the wearing of hats amusing to say the least. Not to be out done, I thought a few were down right absurd. Fashion statements? One up woman-ship? Any thoughts?

Secondly, even though the Brits are steeped in tradition, pomp and circumstance, rules, as well as customs, I thought it a blatant contradiction that Kate would be permitted to wear a white wedding dress considering she and William have been living together for some time. A friend pointed out to me that times have changed and that because only a scant few women over the age of eighteen are virgins, this particular custom no longer matters--even in "polite society". Thoughts?

[RedRoses]

Women marry in white nowadays as it represents a new phase in their life. There are also beautiful white dresses for pregnant ladies. I find that even more so symbolic for "new life".

I think you should marry in any dress that takes your fancy. We won't know if Kate really liked her dress. Perhaps Kate wanted a partially see-through little black dress or flaming red tango-outfit or a top with pants and a diamond glued in her bellybutton (yes, all have been done! )

[lnt1103]

Brits seem to have a thing for funky hats at major social events. For some it may have been simply playing the game.

As far as Princess Kate's dress....I can see what RR suggests, but another idea: not wearing white would be tantamount to admitting, on the world stage, to billions of people, that the next woman who might end up Queen, didn't fit society's traditional "rules". Not merely admitting it, but blatantly putting it out there. In fact, I find it likely that had she NOT worn white, that would have been made a story. As it sits, the dress is a story, but for its beauty, not its color. And so any perceived "impropriety" is glossed over and forgotten.

Even if propriety doesn't happen, if it LOOKS like it did, society tends to be okay with it.

[WilScott]

Originally Posted by dancingdoc2

Secondly, even though the Brits are steeped in tradition, pomp and circumstance, rules, as well as customs, I thought it a blatant contradiction that Kate would be permitted to wear a white wedding dress considering she and William have been living together for some time. A friend pointed out to me that times have changed and that because only a scant few women over the age of eighteen are virgins, this particular custom no longer matters--even in "polite society". Thoughts?

I don't think that custom can be continued. Indeed that time and the people have changed. So should be customs.

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[Brandye]

Well, doc, you watched much more than I. English gardens are the world standard and are there to host garden parties (forget Ricky Nelson) and garden parties require hats. As does Wimbledon and most other staged English productions. The two cousins, Beatrix and what's-her-name, had the most outlandish headgear and generally did not fit in.

Kate got potted trees placed in the Abbey! That is a break with tradition.

[EvilEvilKitten]

I managed to what almost all of it - I was late arriving.

When so many of the world's people, live small and narrow lives, such rites and ceremonies - esp when one doesn't have to wear an absurdity on one's head - gives a bit of LIFE which is very nice.

And Mrs. Middleton, Kate and Phillipa were well worth watching. Those small flower girls were break your heart cute as well.

I also enjoyed the cars, carriages and horses.

Only the one speech, that by the Dean, was worth listening too and the choir I could also have done without.

Ah well! I wish them luck!

[pennivelvet]

The whole "wedding dresses should be white" tradition started with Queen Victoria. She wore white muslin because it was plentiful and cheap (not because she was a virgin). From then on, women started doing the same. Before that, women chose their best dress and married in that, irregardless of what color it was because it didn't matter. What mattered was to look your best.
Since carrying the bride over the threshold goes back to ancient Roman times, perhaps we should dress like Roman brides - they wore a yellow tunica with a red sash, red veil and red shoes, and carried bouquets of red roses. The ancient Romans LOVED roses and red was thought to be the most appropriate color for a bride to wear because it symbolized love and passion.
As for the former Miss Middleton, she HAD to wear white. The entire wedding had to have the Queen's approval (in every detail) and I highly doubt HRH Majesty would have approved of any other color than white for the wedding dress no matter what Kate would have liked personally.
Btw, I did watch the whole thing from start to finish, but I watched it on our PBS station which had British commentators who, thankfully, don't gab over every moment with dumb and annoying comments and allow the viewers to actually *hear* what is going on as well.
I will say I was annoyed by one thing - why no women or girls in the choir? There were only men and boys. Kind of sexist, if you ask me.

[EvilEvilKitten]

Well, the British are sexist. When stationed with them, I was amazed at what the Brit women would put up with.

[Brandye]

A Scot never misses an opportunity to bash the Brits but take another look. The wedding was conducted in Westminster Abbey, the most historic of the places of worship for the Anglican Church. It dates to Henry VIII as Anglican and was Catholic prior to that. Women simply did not sing in the choirs of that day, rather young boys sang the alto and soprano parts. What you heard was simply in the grandest Anglican tradition. That is "why no women in the choir."

Charles and Diana were married in St Paul's Cathedral and there were women in the choir. St Paul's is, arguably, the mos beautiful of Anglican cathedrals but Westminster wins the history and tradition honours hands down.

[EvilEvilKitten]

That may be but the Brits still are a bit backward when it comes to sex - something I didn't notice about the Scots btw.