My thoughts on the royal wedding. I stayed up all night to watch Diana's wedding

[CatWoman]

and watched her kids grow up and all the drama surrounding her.

But this time I have absolutely no interest in watching this, much less staying up half the night.

Guess I grew up along the way.

[hlthe2b]

1. I did too and spent the weekend transfixed when Diana died...

But, nope, I'm not watching. I'm sure I'll see a pic or two and probably a video clip, even without trying. Good luck to the couple, as with any other. ;)

[CatWoman]

3. I had just got a home computer when she died

and stayed up ALL NIGHT reading updates :(

She was a wonderful person, IMHO, and got a raw ass deal.

But I wish her kids every bit of luck and good wishes.

[pulledpork]

33. Mojo Nixon got it right

When he wrote "Dead Drunk Divorced Floozie". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-AJ61Of7VU&feature=related

[devilgrrl]

2. I think the Royalty thing is antiquated.

Plus, I remember William's parents shotgun wedding/shitty marriage too well. I wish them the best but otherwise, so don't care.

[hlthe2b]

4. I do give them credit in that they apparently have asked for no gifts

but rather donations to one of their charities. So, some progress since the Diana-Charles days when they apparently got more than 6000 wedding gifts.

[Liberal Veteran]

6. Crap. My one chance to rid myself of that salad shooter I never used.

Now what am supposed to do with it?

[Justitia]

20. ROFLMAO!

[NYC Liberal]

23. Aren't the British taxpayers footing most of the bill though?

I'd rather send some small trinket than pay for the wedding!

[hlthe2b]

24. Supposedly, Brits are payng for the usual security, police efforts

and the Royal Family, along with the bride's family are paying for the actual wedding. Here's what I saw quoted earlier:

Who Is Paying?

The Royal family, with a private contribution from the millionaire Middleton family, are paying for wedding including the service at Westminster Abbey, the flowers, dresses, carriage procession, reception and dinner. Britain’s government is picking up the tab for all other costs associated with the wedding.

[rainbow4321]

26. The overall cost for the day is $32 million

With **$30 million** going for the day's security which is reportedly being paid for by taxpayers..the other $2 million is for the wedding and after parties and is being paid for by the families. One article I read broke down that $2 mil and it listed stuff like the $400,000 wedding dress (!!) and then the price of flowers in the church and wedding cakes, party food, etc.

Seems like the families could pony up and make it at least a 50-50 split for the full bill, especially if their country's economy is anything like our's.

[WinkyDink]

46. And American tax-payers do not have bills for our leaders? At least the Queen got

rid of her rouyal yacht Britannia (which I think is a shame, but whatever). And she doesn't fly on any QE One.

[NYC Liberal]

70. I wasn't criticizing it, that's totally up to the British people what they're

willing to pay for. I'm just saying paying for the wedding (even just a large chunk of it) seems like a bigger 'gift' than sending in trinkets and whatnot. :)

[WinkyDink]

45. Really? 16 European nations would beg to differ.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. I think I can summon up a "meh" if the media insists I express my interest.

[LynneSin]

7. I probably won't stay up simply because I have to work the next day however...

I honestly think these 2 will make it work. Unlike Charles and Diana, Will knew the pitfalls of royal marriages and found a girl that he's known for over 8 years including the first 2 years when they were nothing more then good friends.

To be honest Kate isn't another Diana, she's another Camilla - she's the first love of a young prince. But this time the Royal powers aren't discouraging the romance. Wills isn't being forced to marry a virgin or another royal blood - instead they'll let him marry the girl he loves. I know it's tough to have a step-parent but having live thru his parents busted relationship and now see his father have a chance to marry the woman he loves, Wills wants the same thing for himself.

[CatWoman]

8. very good, thoughtful post, Lynne

:hi:

[RobinA]

48. Kinda Agree

I always thought Charles/Diana was a disaster waiting to happen, with Charles in love with someone else and Diana the designated brood mare. All the fairy tale stuff made me want to barf. This seems to be less fairy tale and more down to earth. They have to go through all the pomp business, but it seems more like an adult marrying an adult without all the wistful, romantic prince/princess nonsense from a Cinderella movie.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. You know I watched the nooz coverage of it back then

that's it... as much interest as I have right now for this.. .which is zero.

When she died, due to her work on AIDS, poverty and yes mines, I knew that was a great woman who died.

[CatWoman]

10. I feel the same way

[LynneSin]

11. Between Diana and Elizabeth Taylor - those 2 brought AIDs out of the dark ages

And who knows how many millions of lives have been saved between the two of them. Before their interest in AIDs research, alot of folks, including our US Government, saw AIDs as the "gay disease" and didn't really think it was worthy of spending any research money on it. But those 2 opened the eyes for alot of folks and have raised probably millions of dollars over the decades. And I think they made alot of folks realize that this was a disease that affects everyone.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Yeah but when Diana married I could not

give a hoot.

Realize Diana also brought to the attention of the world that other scourge... land mines.

[WinkyDink]

43. Yes, she did. And the UK and US did not care for that.

[fortyfeetunder]

12. I remember doing the same

I had no TV so I went to see some relatives with a TV and we stayed up and watched.
When Diana died, my spouse and I joked about the news being all about DDNN (Diana's Death News Network) we were just horrified this was taking so much time.
Thursday night stay up? No way -- This is so meh I can't afford to pay attention...

[shanti]

13. i'm going to tape it and watch at a reasonable hour

if not up then. the wedding begins at midnight here on the west coast.

[snappyturtle]

14. I will tape it. I could use a good fairy tale. Most of the news is so dreadful

that I know I'll enjoy seeing some joy, for whatever reason....well, and out of respect for Diana.

[cally]

15. I'm watching but I'll tape it

For me, it's like a real life fairytale and history lesson. I know these are real people with real lives but the pomp and circumstance and the spectacle is the astounding. I remember all the fairy tales with the Princess marrying the Prince and this is time for my foray into that world.

It's funny because I don't spend much time watching shows on TV other than news. I don't follow celebrities or all the reality shows but I'm fascinated by the royal wedding. I think I'm craving some happy news and just some news about love and caring when so much that the media focuses on is conflict and sorrow. My family and friends can't believe that I'm so interested and laugh at me. Oh well, it does no harm.

[pulledpork]

34. We've been poisoned by those fairy tales

Lawyers clean up small details, etc.

Time to let those go.

[Lars39]

16. Hasn't even been on my radar until tonight.

I've watched a couple shows. What strikes me the most is that they both love each other and they both seem to have very stable personalities. I think Kate has an iron core. I could see them both being calm and in charge in a crisis.

[sabrina 1]

17. I'm going to watch it. It's an historic event and a happy one

and since I am mostly immersed in bad news, I'm going to take some time off the wars and torture and crooked politicians and all the other sad and tragic events I spend way too much time on sometimes, and watch something fun and happy with a few of my friends for a change.

Diana raised a good guy. She brought attention to issues like Land Mines, when everyone else was silent, including THIS country. She shamed people on the issue of AIDS by showing the world it was NOT contagious and probably did more to focus attention on those issues than all the lying politicians in the world. She used her fame for good. I wish more people would do that.

And she seems to have instilled some of that compassion in her son.

And I love weddings! They always make me cry. And I think these two people will do a lot of good in the world, if they are allowed. I think Diana got a lot of people angry when she worked to help the sick and the poor, but she did it anyhow.

[CatWoman]

18. Sabrina

you're correct -- she raised a wonderful son.

[truebrit71]

64. I think they're both good kids...

...she would be proud of both of them...

[PADemD]

19. +1

[hlthe2b]

21. that's a good perspective, sabrina

I guess I'm feeling so burdened by the disasters of recent weeks, some bizarre irrational part of me thinks I'd jinx them to watch--as though an earthquake-tsunami-nuclear meltdown would occur, just if I happened to turn on the tube! So, I won't take the chance, though and will just see whatever there is to see on "delay"..... ;)

[sabrina 1]

25. Lol, I doubt that, but I know what you mean!

There's been so much sad news, like the earthquake in Japan, and all the wars etc, and people losing their jobs and their homes etc. I don't know if things were always like this and I just didn't notice, or if I've just been paying more attention, but I think we should see more good news, there has to be some every day, just to keep things in perspective. But all we hear is the bad news, so we get the feeling there is no hope, when there really is.

And so I'm going to watch some good news :-)

I'm sure it will be repeated and don't worry about being a jinx, lol!

[anneboleyn]

27. Great post Sabrina. I plan to watch Wills and Kate get married. I can't help it.

I was too young for Diana and Charles so this is my chance to watch a royal wedding. And Kate and William both seem to be solid characters.

[Raine]

30. Me too

and for pretty much the same reasons.

[Darth_Kitten]

52. Historic event? I disagree...William is known for being "workshy"

14 engagements one year whilst his 80 year old grandmother did 500? Now, Katie is going to take 2 years off from any Royal duties. She's never held down an honest job.

Let them get off their spoiled buns and then let's call that historic. ;)

[sabrina 1]

59. Historic, in the sense that he is the future king

and for that reason, it will be recorded by history ~

[Manifestor_of_Light]

28. I got sick of Charles and Di's soap opera.

They thought they would have a sweet little doormat/brood mare.

She got some serious revenge on them with her very public depression/affairs etc.

Unfortunately she wanted her husband to love her and he did not.

Go to slate.com and read Christopher Hitchens' advice to Kate: RUN!!!

I don't care about William and Kate but I do think Diana raised a couple of good boys.

[rainbow4321]

29. I'll be watching

I work the evening shift Thursday night, get home usually around 1 am. I imagine, given the time differance, coverage will kick in a couple hours after I get home since the first guests are supposed to start arriving at 9 or 10 am their local time. Then wedding at 5am my local time (CST)!

I can only do all that cuz I lucked out and am off work Friday so I can sleep all day!


Still remember falling asleep on the floor in front of the TV the night before Princess Diana's funeral. Had stayed up so late watching cable news on the eve of the funeral it was easier to sleep there then go to bed and try to get up again.

[Raine]

31. You've grown cynical but I guess that a form of growing up

I've grown more cynical too but I'm still watching. I need a break from reality and don't mind living in a fantasy for a few hours. I'll just keep in mind it's fantasy.

[pulledpork]

32. Royalty are inbred obsolete leeches

The chromosomally-damaged descendants of unbelievably arrogant twits, who some 1,000 years ago or so stole as much land as they could, and decided that their shit didn't stink, therefore having a "divine right" to rule over the rest of us poor schlubs. Superiority through being born into the 'right' family. Sounds like the Bushes! We had a revolution to rid ourselves of kings and queens and their pompous ill-gotten trappings. I say that any American who firmly plants their tongue up the bunghole of the British royal family this weekend should just pack up and move there.

So yeah, I won't be watching. :D

[H2O Man]

38. Okay, okay .....

at least you can find some kind things to same about the royal poodles. I can't.

[joshcryer]

35. Historically speaking, it's not particularly noteworthy.

There will be a larger turnout than Diana's, but that is more of a result of the entertainment industry making this into something big, and a kind of "new age royalty" that William is trying to push off, in order to maintain his wealth.

[WinkyDink]

41. William will be monarch. I believe that qualifies as "noteworthy" history.

[Darth_Kitten]

53. Won't be a very good one at the rate he's going.

He doesn't really do anything to warrant all the fuss and expense. :(

[truebrit71]

65. Really?

I think you are wildly off the mark...Currently working as a co-pilot on an RAF helicopter search and rescue squad...

[sabrina 1]

61. It is historic because it will be recorded in history due to

the fact that he is the future king. It requires no other element to be considered historic.

[canetoad]

36. Are you saying you grew up

between 1997 and now? I thought you were older than that.

[CatWoman]

68. LOL

I'm a slow learner :rofl:

[jaxx]

37. I'll be watching.

And making no excuses for doing so. I like weddings. I like to see two people buck the odds and get married. And good for the Brits, not hiding the wedding, but allowing everyone to be a part...even the press.

Best wishes to Will & Kate! :applause:

[Vinca]

39. It's mind boggling this wedding is getting near 100% coverage in the media

while the topics important to people are ignored. "The wedding" is not going to help the unemployed in America unless they decide to hawk cheap souvenir trinkets from China.

[WinkyDink]

42. Guess what? People go to movies, too! And Disneyland! Yes! People like to be ENTERTAINED.

Do you think people want news of war, poverty, and environmental degradation 24/7?

[Vinca]

44. You, apparently, run with an affluent crowd.

I haven't shelled out big bucks for a movie since "Fahrenheit 911."

[WinkyDink]

47. OMG, "affluent" = attending a movie! Get a dictionary!

And no, I don't even go; I watch Tv.

[Vinca]

60. You'd better get a dictionary. There's a reason movie theaters

are not doing well and it boils down to people not having enough money for a night out at a movie.

[WinkyDink]

40. Regardless of the humans involved, I will not miss a chance to see Westminster Abbey!!

[CTyankee]

49. Hi, Winky. You'll be surprised (!) to learn that I'm dying to see the Abbey, too!

I think it is beautiful.

[Darth_Kitten]

54. I've been there, twice, it's really beautiful.

n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

57. Westminster Abbey is spectaclar and after having been there twice in the past, can't wait

to see it again ala the teevee.

[Darth_Kitten]

50. I'm not getting up at 3 am on a workday, that's for certain!

:D

[joeybee12]

51. Same with me...I was much younger and bought into the fairy tale...

Now I know that the sole purpose of a royal wedding is to make up the guest list and see who they can snub.

[marmar]

55. I'm a huge fan of British movies and music, Britannia in general and London......

..... is one of my favorite places in the world, but I have absolutely no interest in this. Admittedly, the idea of a "royal family" works my nerves anyway.

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. I was 11 when Lady Diana married Prince Charles. I grew up along the way too...

...but that doesn't mean I'm not tuning into this one. For me, it's got nothing to do with "maturity", and everything to do with interest and a happy moment.

[tilsammans]

58. Hey, if it keeps the RW blowhards off the telly even for a short time...

I'm all for it! :applause:

[truebrit71]

62. I slept on the pavement on the Mall the night before Charles and Diana got married...

..it was a brilliant experience..and one I am sad I will not be able to repeat this year...I will be there for their coronations though, whenever that is...

[AtomicKitten]

63. One word: DVR.

[Bragi]

66. I'll be up at 5 am watching

Why? Because I'm an experienced man, and my wife is British.

[Bunny]

67. If I'm not mistaken, the actual ceremony should start around 6:00 AM Eastern,

which coincides with the time I'm getting up for work. So, I'll be tuned in Friday morning while I'm having coffee and getting ready to leave for work. And when I get to my office, if there's anything being livestreamed, I'm sure I'll watch a bit of those festivities as well. When I get home on Friday evening, I'll probably sit down with a glass of wine and scan the TV for updates and recaps, etc.

I like the pageantry and all the pomp and circumstance, I can be a sucker for weddings, and I just plain enjoy watching. I also watched what I could of Chuck and Di's wedding, along with Di's funeral, and I'll watch this one too, with no apologies.

[CatWoman]

69. I watched her funeral, too

it was heartbreaking :(

[RebelOne]

71. I will probably watch it as I'm up at 4 a.m.

every morning anyway, and there is really nothing on at that time that I care to watch. So the wedding should be an interesting diversion.