Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Image via WikipediaTEN DAYS!
Okay. I'll admit it. I'm a little bit obsessed with the April 29th nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton. My DVR is set, and I'm going to avoid as much of the news about it as I can on the wedding day until I can be home that night to watch it. Ever since the engagement was announced, I've been giddy with excitement. This is the first big royal wedding I'll be old enough to remember since Prince Charles and Princess Diana married before I even turned one. Add to that the fact that Prince William and Kate are my age, and the fascination factor increases.
I've been watching Prince William and Kate Middleton from afar for years. When I was in college, they were in college. As a romance author who happens to have a particular fascination with all things British, of course I paid attention to the budding romance—Prince William as the quiet, shy young man who so resembled his mother and stylish Kate as the intelligent, beautiful, and privileged young woman from an upper middle class self-made family. They were together so long it seemed obvious they would marry...until they broke up in 2007. Of course, the young women of Society in Britain had their sights on William as soon as it happened. But through it all, Kate kept her chin up, and before long, the rumor was they were back together stronger than ever. I was ecstatic for them. They seemed a good fit with Kate shying away from the press and William determined to keep his relationship private for both their sakes.
While no one really says a bad word about William (there's nothing to say!), Kate has been much maligned. While I certainly don't feel sorry for her since she's had a privileged upbringing with a strong family background, I do feel a great deal of empathy. She's been accused of everything from being lazy to a social climber. Horrible things have been said about her self-made family because of their middle class background. I can't imagine the anger William must feel when the woman he obviously loves is being publicly flogged. For goodness sake, people. Kate's been dating a prince since she was in college. Paparazzi have been determined to document their every move. You tell me: Could you hold down a regular job with photographers beating down your doorstep? I'll never forget one of her birthdays. There were photos of her trying to reach her car, and she could barely get past the barrage of cameras. *shudder* That isn't how I'd wish to spend my birthday. So she went to work for her family. Many, many people go to work for family businesses. And yet, apparently, this was also unacceptable.
No matter what she does, Kate can't win. I hope the opinion tidal wave will shift once she becomes William's wife. Then it will no longer matter what her background was other than she can (hopefully) bring a bit of fresh air into the stodgy royal family just as Diana did all those years ago. Regardless, I like her, and I love that her family earned their wealth. I love Kate's natural beauty, her charming and constant smile, and her apparently innate sense of fashion. She seems to be genuinely in love with William and he with her. I especially love that they've chosen to live in a remote area in Wales away from the lights and cameras and prying eyes. I've been to that part of Wales, and it is indeed quiet. If you choose, you can remain miles away from the next neighbor. It's beautiful and perfect for a famous couple looking for a bit of peace and quiet.
Congratulations, William and Kate. May you have a long and loving marriage.
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