Saturday, April 30, 2011

Mum

Honestly, I have been going through the photos and videos of The Wedding. Not that I care about royalty or weddings or the strangers involved in this one. But I have a soft spot for ceremony and pomp, and how societies need elevated experiences now and again. And I am fascinated with costume, which EVERYBODY wore for this event. Elaborate hats, uniforms, the whole history of British, and by extension Western civilization, filtered through aristocratic wealth. Anthropological goldmine. Theatrical extravaganza.

(For a two minute time lapse video, see this.)

I liked the wedding dress, too. The trend to more and more skin exposure, even for a formal wedding dress - our most formal occasion these days - repels me. I had to hug my new SIL at their wedding, and I'm not comfortable hugging a half naked woman. Or 1/4 naked, to be more accurate. Still. Strapless is not a style the vast majority of women pull off well, mostly it's rather embarrassing. Hopefully the new Duchess of Cambridge (I will always imagine this as Cambridge, MA), HRH Princess William (Have I got that right?) will have set a trend toward sleeves and covered skin.

This is my favorite photo of the lot. (How embarrassing, they wore the same dress.)


I suppose on a personal note, I am glad they didn't marry as teens, barely knowing one another. She seems so self possessed, perhaps she will handle the new position better than her poor MIL. Still, does it really matter, should it matter to the rest of us? Is glamour so important? Not to me, although I enjoy the pretty once in a while. Would England be the same without it's living history of a circumscribed royal family on display?

Our language and our culture here, came from that small island nation. We adore our First Family with as much ardor and criticism, if for a much shorter time. We elevate young pretties, and smash them with equal enthusiasm. Maybe it's better to have that more enduring focus, at least in the long run.


Have I mentioned that it snowed on me yesterday on my way home? Well, it's snowing again today, as well.

8 comments:

English Rider said...

I had the same thought regarding the two yellow garbs. Kate appeared so poised throughout and less embarrassed by the whole ordeal than her new Husband. Her whole family looked great.

Anne said...

Kate seems to be calm, pretty and sensible. That's a good quality in a watched and imitated public figure. We have so many bad examples of the other kind. I share your pleasure in ceremony and adornment.

The Crow said...

...the same dress...

haHA!

Phil Plasma said...

I have only seen a few photos and have otherwise remained willfully oblivious to the whole affair.

From what I've seen of the bride, she's quite a catch.

herhimnbryn said...

I didn't see a great deal of it ( I am not a monachist), but my one abiding memory will be the trees INSIDE Westminster Cathedral. They were placed down the aisle and made the place look quite magical.

You might enjoy this 2 min video of the event using time lapse photography via The Guardian.....


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/royal-wedding/video

herhimnbryn said...

Oops, MonaRchist !

Pacian said...

My thoughts watching the wedding live were, "Oh man, my nation's entire fake democracy is founded on pomp and superstition, and I don't care because this is all so lovely."

Zhoen said...

h,
Thanks for the video. I agree about the trees.

Pacian,
It is a bit of a magic show, isn't it? You know it's bunkum, but the eye is still delighted.