History in the making: Kate, William are wed

[onehandle]

Source: ABC News, AP



LONDON – An elegant, tiara-bedecked Kate Middleton swept down the aisle to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey as fans packed the streets of London on Friday, hoping to snatch a glimpse of a historic royal wedding expected to revitalize the British monarchy.

As the future king and queen of England began their lives as husband and wife with the simple words "I will," some 2 billion people across the globe were believed to have tuned in. The couple looked nervous but happy and recited their vows without stumbling before Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

A million well-wishers — as well as some protesters — flooded into central London, around Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and other landmarks. Crowds were up at dawn waving flags for television cameras under steely gray skies and cool temperatures. Cheers erupted as huge television screens began broadcasting at Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park. "Will, it's not too late!" said one sign held aloft by an admirer dressed as a bride.

The biggest secret of the day — Middleton's wedding gown — prompted swoons of admiration as she stepped out of a Rolls-Royce with her father. Against all odds, the sun emerged at that exact moment.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13485354

[sufrommich]

1. The expression of little girl with her hands over her ears

cracks me up. She's had enough.

[texanwitch]

3. I was just looking at that picture.

She is ready to go home.

[pamela]

7. Isn't that the greatest little face?

I love it. That was right when the planes were overhead so it was probably very loud. What a face!

[femrap]

79. No, the planes did not go over until later...

just the roar of the crowd was too much for her.

Damned if she is going to lose her hearing over a wedding or a kiss. lol

[alp227]

34. i wonder if she's American? n/t

[StarburstClock]

36. Hilarious! I look that way when I watch TV.

Which, happens to be splattered with this wedding that few people care about.

[Catherine Vincent]

76. She's hates all that kissing

LOL!

[OKNancy]

2. a welcome respite from all the doom and gloom around us

so much these days.

[onehandle]

4. I agree. The sour unreccers, not so much. nt

[OKNancy]

6. don't you understand... the news needs to be 24 hours

of birthers, Donald's hair, a little war thrown in, Koch brothers here and there and a bunch of politicians spouting whatever their talking point of the day is. Of course many of the males around think it's just fine to have continuous coverage of sports, but hey, they like it so it's OK.

Anyway, I just don't see the problem with the wedding coverage. The hard news will be back on soon enough. Then we can get back to our cynicism, disgust and outrage over things that matter... not this delightful bit of ceremony.

[No Elephants]

45. What hard news? We never get hard news.

Birther crap and the like is not hard news.

[calimary]

166. OKNancy, I stand absolutely WITH you!

It's been wall-to-wall donald trump (and his hair), Wall Street pirates getting more breaks, corporate cheaters, toxic GOPers and would-be latter-day joe mccarthys, earthquakes and killer tsunamis and nuclear reactor disasters, near-extinction-level events in the Gulf of Mexico, America in a THIRD war now, upheaval all over the place, teaRACISTS...

...and some people want to complain about an event that evokes fairy tales, princes and princesses, pretty dresses, dashing uniforms, heraldic trumpets, crazy hats to laugh at, gushy commentators to laugh at, fashion and carriages and celebs and VIPs, beautifully-groomed horses, stirring music and a children's choir, fluttering flags, clanging church bells, stately palaces and cathedrals, elegance and dignity, and best of all - cheering crowds of happy, smiling, celebrating people. And we get to wallow in it for a day-and-a-half, including the wee hours of this past morning that the cynical among us could simply sleep through.

And this is somehow a bad thing? I don't care who wants to harrumph against me and the monarchy. I'm going to enjoy it all thoroughly, ANYWAY. And gobble it up with a shovel and whipped cream and a cherry on top.

:P

[defendandprotect]

74. Evidently, you don't understand the connection between great wealth and doom and gloom ...

for ordinary citizens --

[readmoreoften]

85. +1

[dana_b]

97. especially when the citizens are paying for

part of this b.s. and losing jobs in the meantime. 80% of the British couldn't care less about this "wonderful event".

[Boudica the Lyoness]

117. Better than paying for a fucking war!

Here's some something;

"The royal family itself is expected to pay for the bulk of the wedding costs, including the wedding parties and both receptions. As we reported in an earlier post, there will be both an afternoon luncheon immediately after the ceremony, and then an evening reception of dining and dancing for a small and elite crowd of 300 guests – the innermost of the Prince’s inner circle. The afternoon luncheon reception will include 600 guests and is being hosted by the Queen (Wills grandmother), so she’ll cover those expenses out of her accounts. The evening dinner / dance reception at the Palace will be hosted by Prince Charles (father of the groom), so he’ll be paying for that.
Other wedding costs like the dress and flowers, etc. etc will be paid by the Royal family, one way or another.
But the British government will have to absorb the cost of policing and road closures from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace along a route that will cover 2.25 kilometers (1.4 miles). The government has also decided to declare a public holiday for the Royal Wedding, meaning all government workers will get the day off, with pay"

Look what WE pulled off...no other country can do that!!

[Dont call me Shirley]

128. So much blood paid for such trite glory

[axollot]

135. +1000! royals on payroll cost taxpayers 69 pence a year. And they love the Queen! nt

[axollot]

134. I'll give the Royals credit tho. They do have honour and duty to

their country - unlike our family dynasties which do not. Plus, the "Royals on the Payroll" cost the taxpayers 69 pence a year. Not too much for a little pomp and circumstance once in a while.

The Bush dynasty however, is evil and maniacal. The years on US history sucked under 14th Prez Pierce a cousin to GWb (Pierce had held the title as worst president EVER until his relative came along!) or Prez Taft who created the US Chamber of Commerce (think 2010 CU ruling) have been brutal. And cost us much more than 69 pence a year with no honour or duty to the country.

Cheers
Sandy

[AngryOldDem]

139. You know what?

What good does pissing and moaning do to change anyone's situation? I am so sick and tired of reading all the posts that essentially say because the world sucks, because the situation of most of the humans inhabiting the world sucks, we should deny ourselves **any** kind of momentary break from that suckiness. Because the world is a sucky place we apparently need to constantly put on the hairshirt, douse ourselves with sackcloth and ashes, and self-flagellate because there is one bit of goodness and light in the world.

Just getting so sick of this attitude.

[JackRiddler]

168. A pathetic distraction from anything that matters.

[Dulcinea]

5. I loved her gown.

Elegant, classy, simple, no excessive froufrou. Hopefully this is the first step away from the "stripper bride" look. :puke: My wedding dress had similar sheer lace button sleeves.

And, congrats to the happy couple!

[LibDemAlways]

16. I agree about the dress. Very classy.

The boob-baring see-through "stripper bride" dresses can't go away soon enough. Yuck.

[Pacifist Patriot]

Amen to that!

I have now officiated 280 weddings and commitment ceremonies. Easily 75% of them with strapless wedding gowns. Perhaps 2-5% of the female population can successfully pull off a strapless wedding gown. I want to see them die a spectacular fashion death.

[SheilaT]

115. I am under the distinct impression

that it is almost impossible to find a gown out there that isn't strapless these days.

I've been watching "Say Yes to the Dress", which is a hoot, and it appears that a good 90% of the stock in that store -- said to be the largest one in Manhattan -- consists of strapless gowns.

Not every woman looks good in strapless, and a dress with sleeves can be even more beautiful than without.

[Pacifist Patriot]

142. Sadly it's been like that for years.

I've been officiating weddings since the middle of 2006. I don't know if that was just the beginning or if the trend was already in full swing. I've been hoping for years the strapless gown would become a sartorial dodo bird, but not yet. It's so bad, if you want a dress with sleeves you have to look at what has become known as the "modest" gown. Since when was modesty something that needed to be set aside as special?

[LibDemAlways]

165. Most of the brides on that show declare that they are looking for

a "sexy" wedding gown. Since when is a wedding gown supposed to be sexy? I find myself talking back to them along the lines of, "Save it for the honeymoon, sweetie."

[distantearlywarning]

42. +1 about the dress.

Best wedding dress I've seen in years. Classy, elegant, tasteful, modest but still emphasized her femininity. Absolutely an A+ choice, in my opinion. I hope it sets a fashion for brides in years to come.

I would have killed for a dress like that when I got married. Hell, I would have killed just to find something with sleeves!

[defendandprotect]

75. ... but it's the SAME dress she always wears -- !!

How could no one notice that?

Look at almost every photo of her and you will see the exact same bodice --

Vee neck, high collar --

Veil was too flat -- and looked Medieval -

MEANWHILE . . . Loved Diana -- and only wish the best for her son and this new

couple who, let's hope, will bring more compassion and humaneness to the Palace.

Diana understood the world from the highest perspectives -- and down to the least

among the "subjects" of the royals!

[RobinA]

112. I Noticed

Nice, but blah. On the other hand, I hate, hate, hated Diana's, which looked like some 3-year-old's drawing of the wedding dress she hopes for.

[axollot]

137. Diana's dress was terrible! It dated very quickly too. It was all glitz

with precious/semi precious stones and pearls. Along with tuffs of what looked like toilet paper - god awful. This was a very sweet gown, yeah it's a similar 'cut' to what she wears - so what it flatters her. I wear stuff that flatters me too! Sometimes it's similar to other outfits.

Anyways.
Cheers
Sandy

[LiberalEsto]

150. I wonder if Camilla had a hand in designing Diana's gown

Makes you wonder.


I loved Kate's veil because it looked medieval

[defendandprotect]

172. Exactly!! -- but ...

of course, Diana didn't design her dress either --

The train was also nuts!

But she was a beautiful bride and a beautiful human being!!

[Dulcinea]

159. Is that a bad thing?

She knows what flatters her. Too bad more women don't wear what flatters them instead of just wearing what fashion mags & TV shows dictate.

[wordpix]

182. +2 beautiful dress, elegant and understated. Good choice

[Love Bug]

118. From your keyboard to god's modem!

I'm tired of strapless bridal gowns. I'm hoping Kate's dress will start a trend.

[roguevalley]

8. they do this so beautifully. I love London. I really love Westminster

its an amazing place. London is an amazing place.

[Pacifist Patriot]

27. I'd live there in a heartbeat.

[stockholmer]

44. a semi-dodgy flat will set you back $2500-3000+ US a month, your food bill will triple, & the health

care system (NHS) is completely falling apart. I lived there (South Kensington, Marble Arch, Shoreditch, etc- in all of which flats will set you back $3500 to 4000+ per month in US dollars) for years, and it was wonderful, but I also was making 6 figures per year.

If you are very well off, go for it, otherwise, better visit soon, as at the rate your dollar is dropping, you will have sticker shock when you come to the EU. Here in Stockholm, if your rent was say, the equivalent of $1200 a month US in July, 2010, it is now close to $1600 or $1700 a month (not for us Swedes, for you as an American paying in dollars due to the dollar crashing).

[Pacifist Patriot]

72. I'm aware of the realities. I'm there on a regular basis.

I've got my eye on a townhouse in SW12 for when I win the lottery. Now if I could just remember to buy a ticket.

[DFW]

95. En liten våning i Gamla Stan.........

And I'd be happy...........jag behöver inte bo i England....

[Hardrada]

169. I don't like city apartments. The fact is Americans prefer

their own houses. And lawns. (We could do with a better health care system however).

[RebelOne]

67. I love London also. Been there twice.

If I were ever to relocate out of the U.S., it would be to the British Isles.

[virgogal]

144. Me too,but it would be to Edinburgh. The city just captured me.

[Lifelong Protester]

9. I was up at 3:00 am to watch it live, and I enjoyed every minute

the ceremony was very well done, and no one does pomp like the Brits. This has been a tough winter and spring, so I am enjoying a day of indulging myself in it all.

The 'real world' will tumble back in on us soon enough.

[gtar100]

10. May this reign in an era of justice, peace, and prosperity for all!

...
Just saying.
:hide:

[stockholmer]

52. when the 'reigns' of parasitic monarchs end, you might, just might, get your wish, provided the....

bankers follow them to old Tyburn Tree.

[Dont call me Shirley]

127. The bankers are their stable prostitutes.

[snooper2]

11. I heard they are giving all the leftovers to the homeless...

[Riverman]

89. $86 million a year, per CNN, British taxpayers shell out for the Queen

and her family. How many homeless would that feed, house and provide health care/treatment?

I am proud to be an American and live in a democracy that caste out the monarchy over two-hundred years ago.

Though Kate was very attractive in that dress. The Royal lads looked like they stepped off the set of a Monty Python skit.

[William769]

114. Compared to the 1.5 billion we shell out for the White House in one year

They are definitely getting the better bargain! Just saying.

[axollot]

141. We still have a monarchy - just shady and under handed. Hell

just look up the Bush family. They go all the way back. Franklin Pierce was the 14th Pres and the worst one, he held that title until his relative GWB was Selected. Prez Taft is also a relative, all direct relative not obscure - he created the US Chamber of Commerce which was given unprecedented powers in 2010 by that same SCOTUS that selected his cousin.
I'd rather have a constitutional monarchy that costs 69 pence a yr that shows honour and duty to their country (all going to wars - including the queen as princess learned how to field strip jeeps during WWII and they chose to stay in London rather than flee during the Blitz which helped unite the country. Something the Bushes would NEVER do, hell they did business with the bombers!)

Cheers
Sandy

[masmdu]

12. Reminds me very much of my own wedding...especially all the silly hats

[femrap]

80. I love hats....that's

the only reason I turned on TV to watch. One of Fergie's daughters had on the most hideous thing....it was maybe a foot high. Did you see it? It was like a horrid topping for a Xmas tree or something.

Camilla should have worn a hat that covered her face completely. I was a big fan of Diana and her charity work....to me, Charles and Camilla are Mule-faced Wastes of Human Flesh. May he never be king....using Diana as a Broodmare.

:puke:

Did anyone else think that William was constantly trying NOT to smile...he looked like he was holding in a huge amount of happiness and laughter. It seemed like he wanted to just 'crack up.'

It was as if he was TOLD 'Do not smile.'

[LiberalEsto]

151. Princess Eugene's"hat"

was horrible. She looked like a radar tower signalling the alien spacecraft (the other hats) to land.

Camilla's hat looked like a toilet seat.

[femrap]

156. You're Right....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. Nobody but nobody does pageantry as well as the Brits

Even the opening of a minor classical music festival that I attended in 2006 was a mini-pageant, beautifully pulled off without any of the kitsch that tends to seep into American big events.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. Congratulations to the young couple.

I hope they lead very happy, very normal (under the circumstances) lives, and that they continue to give back to the British people throug their works.

[FirstLight]

15. watching the replay now...

couldn;t get up so early...

totally teared up when they said their vows. and she is so rockin the dress!
it's really nice to see them so at ease with eachother and all the pomp

yes, a welcome respite from cynicism :D a little romance never hurt anyone! :loveya:

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Yeah, I'm sitting here hoping Prince William abolishes the monarchy....

but loving the pageantry and romance. How twisted is that?

The dress is spectacular. Geez, I hope this kills the way overlong fashion trend in strapless wedding dress.

[Nederland]

17. Nobody does pomp and pageantry like the British

On one hand I look at events like this and I think what is it with these people? Horse drawn carriages? Lines of soldiers in goofy hats? More over the top pomp than the Oscars? Seriously? This is the 21st century and you folks are celebrating an aristocracy that should have died off sometime in the 19th.

Then I watch those throngs of people all cheering and singing Blake's famous hymn "Jerusalem" and I think I get it. The closest thing we Americans have to this type of pomp is our Presidential inauguration--but that is an event in which half the country is pissed off while the other half is smug with victory. This, the marriage of a real live prince to a beautiful young woman, is something that generates no ill will because the aristocrats hardly have any real power anymore. And so it becomes a moment that this entire country can stand up and say hey, we're the English and nobody else in the world can pull this sort of thing off like we do.

It was simply brilliant, or as they would say, fucking brilliant.

[defendandprotect]

65. Nixon tried to provide "pomp" and "pagentry" and fortunately citizens

criticized it and it was ended --

In order to become "royal" one requires pomp and pagentry -- otherwise you'll

be seen as rather ordinary --

or like a crook, as Nixon was!

[Auntie Bush]

161. That's what Trump would say. nt

[L0oniX]

19. ***

[fasttense]

20. The little flower girl with hands over her ears looks exactly how I feel.n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

21. Okay, her dress is nice, but...

...there's something about traditional plain old white that has always struck me as a bit boring, no matter how lacy and elegant it may be.

I really like the uniform William is wearing. Now there's some eye-catching color and individuality!

Anyway, best wishes to them.

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. "the sun emerged at that exact moment"

This is one of my favorite parts about officiating weddings. I see some of the oddest coincidences that add meaning to the occasion. I once had an extremely well-timed clap of thunder. Guess you had to be there. :-)

[efhmc]

23. Did as much money and time go to the poor and hungry?

[hedgehog]

38. Well, to give credit where credit is due ....

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/doing-good/kindness/post/2011/04/in-lieu-of-gifts-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-request-charity-donations-instead/148363/1

[florida08]

24. this wedding seemed much more relax than the first

The Queen was even smiling looking rather dapper in her sunshine yellow dress. William is so much like his mom.
But Harry's smile was gorgeous. Congrats and a wish for a long happy life together.

[truthisfreedom]

25. That is one fine-looking woman, I gotta say.

Lucky guy.

[Seedersandleechers]

26. IMHO the best part was David Beckham

Victoria got the best man.

[hedgehog]

39. Those shoes are torture devices!

[femrap]

83. No kidding....! nt

[Boudica the Lyoness]

119. Beckham talks with a squeaky voice and is simple minded....

but he can play football. Prince William is far more accomplished.

I really don't think the former Spice Girl got the best man, lol.

[bookman]

28. Zzzzzzzzzz....

...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

[William769]

41. Could not have been that bad.

You showed up here. :rofl:

[begin_within]

29. A billion people in the world live at the starvation level.

Why should these spoiled loony goofballs called "royalty" get any attention?

[RufusTFirefly]

30. "The American head of state grew up with a mother on food stamps..."

"...The British head of state grew up with a mother on postage stamps. Is that a contrast that fills you with pride?"

...

"In most countries in the world, parents can tell their kids that if they work hard and do everything right, they could grow up to be the head of state and the symbol of their nation. Not us. Our head of state is decided by one factor, and one factor alone: did he pass through the womb of one particular aristocratic Windsor woman living in a golden palace?

No, it’s not the biggest problem we have. But it does have a subtly deforming effect on Britain’s character that the ultimate symbol of our country – our sovereign – is picked on the most snobbish criteria of all: darling, do you know who his father was? Kids in Britain grow up knowing that we all bow and curtsey in front of a person simply because of their unearned, uninteresting bloodline. This snobbery then subtly soaks out through the society, tweaking us to be deferential to unearned and talentless wealth, simply because it’s there."

Johann Hari: This royal wedding frenzy should embarrass us all

[Drunken Irishman]

46. We kinda do the same thing here...

Every four years, in fact. It's not a wedding, but certainly similar pop and fan fair.

You know, the inauguration.

[RufusTFirefly]

54. No we don't

You might want to re-read the article.

Hari isn't taking issue with pomp and pageantry. He's questioning the fact that in an ostensibly democratic country, the head of state is chosen solely by his/her bloodline. There's nothing the least bit democratic about it.

[Drunken Irishman]

78. My mistake. I didn't read the article...

Only assumed it was about the pomp and pageantry of the wedding and not the Royal bloodline.

With that said, it's an England issue, I guess. From what I can tell, most citizens are still in favor of the Monarchy. So until they decide to do away with it, I can't really criticize - as I am not a citizen of England.

[LibDemAlways]

107. A couple of summers ago I stayed at a bed and breakfast around the

corner from Buckingham Palace. The retired couple who were the hosts absolutely love the monarchy and consider it a bargain for the tourist draw alone, not to mention the many centuries of tradition it represents. These days members of the royal family devote many hours to charitable work. If the average citizen of Britain is supportive, I have no problem with it.

[Drunken Irishman]

108. Agreed...

Its history alone makes England, and specifically London, a huge tourist attraction. Without it would be like L.A. without Hollywood.

[Auntie Bush]

163. Actually they say it's a money maker.

The Royals bring in more tourist dollars than it cost them. Of course everyone pays for them but not everyone gains in tourist dollars.

[alp227]

91. apples and tomatoes - we elect the inaugurated

while the royal weddings are putting aristocrats at center stage

(but remember 2000 and 2004?)

[Drunken Irishman]

93. haha, I still think it's cool...

But I like that tradition and pageantry. I didn't watch the wedding and thought the hype was overkill, but it's cool to see, I guess.

[mistertrickster]

60. Right. Now if only the Big O would govern like he gives a damn about people on food stamps,

we'd have someone we could really be proud of.

[RufusTFirefly]

62. Totally agree. Symbolism only goes so far. n/t

[defendandprotect]

68. Personally ....

I have a lot of trouble with it --

I guess the majority of British somehow see it as their heritage --

but I see it the way you do.

Looking at a bit of a replay and the money involved seems staggering --

Meanwhile, loved Diana - and who ever guessed the morning we watched her wedding to

Charles how much REALITY would leak out? But Diana was a return of the goddess, imo --

on the national stage to try to guide us.

Perhaps the fates are at work in joining her son with another commoner who may bring

once again a true spirit of humanness to the Monarchy?


Best wishes to England and in remembrance of Diana -- !!

[neoralme]

98. I agree with that. Diana was a goddess.

[riverbendviewgal]

31. It was wonderful

I didn't get up early in the wee hours to watch it. I was up at 9 am and watched BBC, CNN and my local CTV...I saw the highlights and just looked at more photos on CNN...Very nice..

I was surprised at myself because when I first started watching the wedding coverage the tears came on quite heavily....Heavens I did not expect it. I felt happy for the two couple, happy there was no rain, no protests, no terrorists and it all looked so classy and beautiful.

It felt good to watch some beautiful happy news coverage after all the hateful news of racist Trump, tea partiers and tornadoes and fires and floods.. Up here in Canada we are having an election as well.

I feel that Kate is a wonderful mentor for young women...She is a commoner who completed university, is smart and beautiful and has a strong sense of style. She and William truly show a love for each other. William's mother, Diana, only met Prince Charles 19 times before she married him at 19. It was not a love match for Charles and I think that caused her great unhappiness.

I think the world needed this and I think America needs to see that classy and subdued is really better than crashy flash and glitch and the shallowness of much of American news and TV.

Congratulations Kate and William. I wish them a long and happy marriage.

[femrap]

88. Good analysis, riverbendviewgal...

I only wished that Camilla's hat had been larger so I didn't have to see her face. I was a huge fan of Diana and her charity work. Charles used her as a Broodmare. May he never be king.

Charles and Camilla are Mule-Faced Wastes of Human Flesh, imho.

I heard that William and Kate have known each other for eight years....and have been living together. I wish her well....hope she can stand up to the bureaucracy/protocol/rules and child-birthing that is expected.

I hope she shakes up the Monarchy....hearing that a 'Disco' was to offered at the Reception must have really ruffled some feathers. Shake a tail feather!

[rox63]

104. I'm told they want to start on having a family right away

I think that's why they decided to go ahead and get married, because they want to have kids. William is very much aware how much being a "royal" affected his mother. I think they waited a good long time to get married because he wanted to make sure she was ready and able to handle the spotlight they'll be living under.

[1monster]

148. I really get tired of hearing about goddess Diana and how Charles destroyed her.

The truth is that Diana had some monumental problems before she even met Charles. Charles, having been seriously emotionally neglected as a child was not equipped to deal with her problems. Diana was ill equiped to deal with the expectations of her chosen life.

And Charles did not chose her. She was chosen for him. He was forced into that marriage.

The real culprits were Elizabeth and Phillip. She never hugged or held Charles when he was a child. When they met, she shook his hand because she did not feel it was appropriate to show affection for her two older children. Phillip is said to have ruled his children with an iron hand and that Charles was afraid of him.

If Diana was treated as a brood mare, Charles was treated like a stud stallion.

No one doubts that Diana loved their children. But guess what? Charles loves their children, too. The two boys always seemed to enjoy their father just as much as their mother. And the feeling was obviously mutual.

Having lived through many years of anger, backbiting, and court battles that followed my husband's divorce from his first wife, I know that, eventually, with time, age, maturity, and distance, the animosity dies and sometimes friendship ensues. After all, both parties usually really do love their children and that is bond that is very strong.

Diana, tragically did not live long enough to gain the time, age, maturity, and distance needed to allow the anger and hurt to disapate sufficiently so they could let the past go.

No one really knows another couple's marriage from the outside. We've heard her story and his story. But the truth is probably something similar and quite different from their views.

Diana is dead. Let her rest. Charles is human and not an ogre.

[Name removed]

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[yurbud]

32. Where's his mountie hat? PIC

That's disrespectful to the uniform.



Somewhere, Dudley Do-Right is weeping.

[naaman fletcher]

33. f'ing pathetic

That this farce is considered history. history is the struggle of mankind for freedom and dignity. History will be when we take the country back from the banks that have systematically looted the taxpayers for (particularly) the last few years. History will be when the 3rd world is unchained from oppression.

[Stuckinthebush]

35. Agreed

It's a wedding. History is what is happening in the US South this week. History is what is going on in the middle east. History ain't a farking wedding of privileged people.

[William769]

43. You've been rumped!

[Bladian]

48. Definitely

I see where you're coming from. I thought the title (no offense meant at all to you, OP) was a little...I guess disconcerting. Just because of the fact that this is history.

[defendandprotect]

70. +1000% -- especially as England undergoes "austerity" imposed by elites -- !!

[MasonJar]

37. I thought the whole affair was wonderful. I watched it as people poured

from the cathedral toward the palace. Boo to ABC for mentioning some protesters. I saw none and heard of none from the MSNBC commentators. If there were protesters, they were so minuscule in number as to negligible. It is a grand day for England and the world. A piece of history and a piece of pleasure in a quickly deteriorating world.

[William769]

40. What a wonderful couple, I am proud to say I watched the wedding.

I only wish I could have been there.

[ashling]

47. Thank God that's over!

Now can we return to some semblance of reality?

[mistertrickster]

58. Oops . . . great minds think alike . . . nt

[alp227]

49. I chose to sleep during the event but heard a 15-second summary on NPR

and have seen images of this on here and YouTube. I guess it wasn't so un-newsworthy if the DU mods decided this was OK front page news. Now let's go back to some real news...for example the people of Alabama/some Southern states could NOT watch this because of the tornado! And what about all the Americans who can't even find work and the wars in Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq?

Video via BBC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c38lPvrPuT4

[No Elephants]

50. Wedding's over, birth certificate's out. Whatever will media have to say anymore?

[Bladian]

51. I know!

Birth certificate is fake!

[janet118]

66. Honeymoon, SAT scores, of course n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

53. Sorry about the Austerity guys! *has lavish state wedding*

Gross.

[liberation]

59. Scumbag monarchy...

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

171. pampered inbreds

arrogant, out-of-touch, insensitive and clueless

but the media loves 'em

[readmoreoften]

84. Super gross indeed.

[cleanhippie]

55. Its not history, its a distraction.

And its despicable. With all of the poverty and suffering going on JUST IN ENGLAND ALONE, what else could have been done with the money spent on this lavish affair?

:puke:

[mistertrickster]

56. Thank God, it's over. nt

[liberation]

57. History was made when we kicked these inbreds out of our country for good...

It is frankly insulting for the media to pay so much attention to the celebrations of the sperm lottery winners, while neglecting the real news.

But glad that Britain was able to spend all that money in a fucking wedding, I am sure all those cuts in education, and austerity measures were totally worth it for the average British once they saw the bride's smashing dress (or whatever it is people are supposed to be focusing their attention according to the media).

[defendandprotect]

71. I well remember a time when we disdained "royalty" and "monarchies" ... !!

However -- in memory of Diana -- may the fates move this new couple

to simpler lives as more compassionate and humane leaders of their people -- !!

[Ishoutandscream2]

61. Looky, shiny things!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[TygrBright]

63. Nice. Congrats, kids. Cute outfits. Can we move on to trivial entertainment like... news... now?

I wish them well, but really, who gives a flying ****?

I can kinda see how the outfit might make front page of the fashion supplement, and the whole hoo-ha be on the cover of the "features" supplement, but really, can ANYONE justify wasting news real estate on this?

wearily,
Bright

[sabrina 1]

177. Well, if we actually got news, I would agree with you.

But since our news just consists of a far tackier version of the British Royals, I haven't missed it.

1) Wall to Wall Teabagger coverage.

2) Sarah Palin and her dysfunctional family, 'will she run, will she not'

3) Donald, the bankruptcy king, Trump. Now THAT'S worthy of all the coverage it gets! :eyes:

Not to mention that these two clowns are actually talked about seriously in our media as future Presidents.

4) The Balloon Boy, how many wasted hours were spent on that story?

5)Lindsey Lohan or some-other-hard-to-distinguish-from-her Hollywood brat, dyed hair, fake boobs etc.

6) Liars and criminals and racists like Andrew Breitbart, James O'Keefe et al presented as legitimate political commentators.

I could on, but whenever I try to find news on our media, this is mostly what I see.

So, seeing coverage of the Royal Wedding was, imho, a huge improvement over what usually passes for news.

If we ever get around to having a legitimate News Org., then I would definitely complain about wasting a lot of time on events like this, but since we will miss NO serious news reporting, I don't see the problem.

[Mz Pip]

64. I'm watching the repeat

on weddingcentral. I'm enjoying it. Some of the hats are a hoot.

Yeah it's kind of a circus but I can't help enjoying a bit of pageantry once in a while.

The Brits have coronations and weddings and we have Inaugurations.

[femrap]

90. And lots and lots and lots

of CELEBRITIES making fools of themselves. In addition a MSM that is 85% owned by 3 or 4 dudes. And don't forget Reality TV.

Of course, the biggest fools of all are the Americans that follow the MSM and the Infotainment.

But I gotta say....I like hats....only reason I watched. Same for the Kentucky Derby....but I turn it off when the horse race begins.

[MasonJar]

129. Too bad! The thoroughbreds are usually awesome.

[femrap]

158. I quit watching after all

of the 'accidents.' Too many horses have been put down...one of the most highly admired owners in Bluegrass Country says the breeding today is not for endurance, as a result, the bones are not strong enough. He gave a long interview on '60 Minutes' a few years ago.

I'm old and have been around horse racing all my life....The Greed has ruined the sport. Lots of Saudi Arabian Greed as well.

I don't enjoy the 'sport' anymore. I even left Lexington.

But the hats are still fun. And I enjoy looking at the horses in the paddock....but no more racing for me. I can't watch another horse being put down on the track.

[Warren DeMontague]

69. Congratulations.

Good God, Dude, that is an ugly coat.

[HankyDubs]

73. unrecced for brainless sideshow

Kill all the monarchs now!

[Township75]

77. Like every presidential debate.

"Kill all the monarchs now!"

Why don't you?

The monarchs are safe, because people like you posting on a message board anonymously are too chickenshit and irrelevent to be a threat to anyone.

[HankyDubs]

86. you really just made that comparison

for all the problems with our political debates (google commission on presidential debates) they are significantly more relevant than royal weddings.

I'm not much of an assassin, it's true. I'm only offering a helpful suggestion to the british people. Instead of laying off 1 in 5 government employees in fake austerity programs, they should save money by returning to the time-honored tradition of lopping their monarch's head off.

[Township75]

92. yes i did.

because neither are particularily important and both completely fulled with BS and stary eyed gawkers. For example, go watch some again and listen to all the drivel about campaign finance reform, doing good for the environment, getting us off fossile fuels, and watching out for the American people. You can pick the year, you will hear the same shit.

"Instead of laying off 1 in 5 government employees in fake austerity programs, they should save money by returning to the time-honored tradition of lopping their monarch's head off."

Explain why they should? How is it going to help them? YOu said this is tradition, yet they still have a monarchy, right? So what did the head-chopping accomplish?

[HankyDubs]

99. Explain why they should?

I've had some difficulty finding reliable info on exactly how much money the British taxpayer wastes on these vestiges of tyranny. It appears that the number is between 60pence and 1 pound per British taxpayer per year.

Now they could just spend a tiny fraction of that on a good old fashioned public execution, and think of all the tourism that would bring! The rest would then be available for people who are worth a damn.

[MasonJar]

130. You should update your facts. The royal family is Britain's biggest

tourist appeal. If the royals go, the tourist trade will diminish hundredfold. The Brits are smart enough to know that.

[HankyDubs]

133. what is this assertion based on?

"If the royals go, the tourist trade will diminish hundredfold"

Looks like a bullshit made up statistic.

I'd go to Britain just to see the heads roll, and I'm opposed to capital punishment (though in this case I'd make an exception).

By all means lets test your theory. Chop their heads off, and see if people stop going to see Big Ben. Use the money saved to rehire the people who were just fired. If I'm wrong, they can always find another inbred sap to take the throne.

[axollot]

146. Do you know many Brits? They love their monarchy because unlike

our aristocracy they have honour and duty to their country.

Cheers
Sandy

[LanternWaste]

160. Much like the tourist appeal of an execution.

"Looks like a bullshit made up statistic..."

Much like the tourist appeal of an execution. Although I realize do we often hold other people to higher standards of debate than we hold ourselves...

[HankyDubs]

180. what statistic?

I never claimed anything about the tourism value of executing the royal family. If you made a big deal out of each one you might be able to string it out over a few weeks.

I merely said that such an event would be appealing to me, as a tourist.

[That Guy 888]

81. No offense to those who follow this, but I've never been happier for the Hide Thread function n/t

[readmoreoften]

82. How much did this shit show cost the British workers?

Why these parasites get the right to live like this is beyond me. Talk about "welfare queens". There is a redundant term if I ever heard one.

[dana_b]

96. on TDS I think they said 20 million pounds

but who really knows? Here is the link. You can tell how "excited" most of the Brits are. ;)

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-28-2011/royal-wedding-excitement-in-london

[rox63]

113. How much money do you think this event generated for the British economy?

The tourist money alone should more than make up for the cost of the event.

[mysterysoup]

122. There is no such thing as "the British economy."

There are the class interests of the bourgeoisie, including the "Royals," who are bourgeoisified, and there are the class interests of British workers. The two have nothing in common.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

120. You are ignorant

about the Royal Family....yet you yap.

[mysterysoup]

123. That's an insult, not an objection.

Why don't you explain why it "didn't" cost the taxpayers twenty million?

[MasonJar]

131. How much do all our shenanighans cost us? Inaugurations, balls,

conventions, but most especially having corporations run our democracy into the ground. Instead of complaining about what works somewhere else I suggest we concentrate on cleaning up places like Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio and even Massachusetts now. I believe that that the Brits are smart to have a royal family to do the diplomacy and public entertainment side of their government. Our President is responsible for everything. It is too much for one position.

[mysterysoup]

132. You pay for it when you buy a movie ticket.

But at least the US "royalty" consists mainly of attractive, talented people--actors, musicians, etc., who actually contribute something to society besides merely existing. And no, the British royals do not conduct "diplomacy."

[wysingm]

87. Wedding Dress

The bride chose a dress by Sarah Burton a Alexander McQueen design.

She looked absolutely stunning. What a beautiful woman. The gown was perfect.



From the official press release:

“The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, with individual flowers hand-cut from lace (in shapes of roses, thistle, daffodils and shamrocks). The dress is made of ivory and white satin gazar with a skirt in the shape of an opening flower. The satin bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips in a McQueen signature, is based on Victorian corsetry. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.

The veil, made of ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, is held in place by a 1936 Cartier tiara, lent to Ms. Middleton by the Queen. (It was bought for her mother by the Duke of York and presented to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.) Ms. Middleton’s earrings—shaped like oak leaves with a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center—are by Robinson Pelham. The shoes are also by McQueen.” (Source: http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/kate-middletons-wedding-dress/">Vogue)

[Quantess]

94. Finally! Now we can move on to the next fluffy topic.

[Hubert Flottz]

100. Long live his Thing!

[Patiod]

101. Wow - not 100% disapproval from my quakerish DU brethern!

(and I can use "quakerish" disparagingly, since I am one)

Shocked and delighted that most DUers see that this is something the British enjoy, say "good on 'em", enjoy to pageantry (or not), realize it's definitely not for us as US citizens, and let it go.

My family background is Irish, and I was raised with a jaundiced eye to the UK in general and the monarchy specifically, but you could really see today what a terrific generator of tourist dollars (and euros and yens) it is for that country. I'm guessing that it probably pays for itself in that regard. (The whole title thing, as well as the curtsying thing gets my goat as a Quaker, but that's a whole 'nother issue I have with the newly-minted Mr. & Mrs. Windsor)

And the fact that the couple met at school, dated, and shacked up like their more normal brethren made it a lot less creepy then the practically-arranged marriage with virginity test that the groom's mom had to go through.



.

[gauguin57]

102. Kate looked lovely in her dress. But waaaaay too thin. She's apparently lost a lot of weight...

... since the engagement. If, as the fluffy pundits all seem to be saying, little girls are looking at her, hoping to be princesses ... they need to NOT aspire to anorexia as part of the bargain. I'm not saying Kate is anorexic ... just that I hope she chowed down like a champ at the wedding breakfast ... her and her sister both. I think they starved themselves ahead of this public spectacle, and need a Papa John intervention!

[rox63]

105. It's not unusual for brides to go on a diet before the wedding

But I hope she puts a few pounds back on afterwards.

[orbitalman]

103. ....a union that promised to revitalize the British monarchy?????????

You gotta be kiddin'!!! A waste of humanity, in its current condition.

[Taverner]

106. No offense, but didn't we fight a bloody war just because we didn't want royalty?

[Dont call me Shirley]

125. Nice photo of the "British Invasion". Orwellian, for sure.

[thelordofhell]

149. Yeah......about 235 years ago

Let it go dude

:rofl:

[Taverner]

154. Well hell - give me one good reason I should give a rat's ass

And keep in mind I've got hundreds of rat's asses stored in my kitchen...mmmm rat!

[thelordofhell]

155. I don't give a rat's ass about whether you give a rat's ass

I'm just saying the revolution is waaaaaaay in the past. We won, they lost, let it go. Do you still hate the Indians, French, Spanish, Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, etc......?

:patriot:

Now if you were in Ireland......I'd understand

Do you know what this wedding meant to me, it meant that the wife had the t.v. on at 3 in the morning!!

:spank:

[LanternWaste]

162. What is the precise and relevant connection...

What is the precise and relevant connection between how one wishes to be governed, and watching a foreign wedding?

Does watching a royal wedding imply a direct desire to be governed by royalty, or is this merely sour grapes pissing bad wine onto the joy other people may receive from a wedding? I'm guessing number two... but I'm not that clever. :shrug:

[KT2000]

109. Watched it - the best part

was their nerves. They were both cautious with the protocol but looked to each other for comfort and support throughout. That is a good sign.

And - loved the dress. The use of box pleats in the skirt made an elegant silhouette.

[colorado_ufo]

110. May God bless them with happy lives.

[FourScore]

111. It was so much fun to watch! n/t

[Scottybeamer70]

116. I watched for 5 hours

and loved every minute of it. Nice to see some happiness in this world.

[mysterysoup]

121. How people can idolize these useless parasites is beyond me.

William is a direct descendent, through Victoria, of George III. My ancestors fought a bloody revolution to get rid of these people over 200 years ago. The family has continued to oppress people all over the world ever since, and does so to this day, while contributing nothing to their own society. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[Dont call me Shirley]

124. Thank you very much!!!!!!!

These british royals are parasites on humanity, enslaving and pillaging wherever they go. I could go as far to propose that they have committed a "quiet coup" in the US with the assistance of their bloody accomplices and relatives who live here.

[Pacifist Patriot]

143. Personally, I don't idolize anyone.

But it was a damn fine show.

[RoccoR5955]

126. ZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZzzz

B-O-R-I-N-G!

[smiley]

136. why anyone w/ a brain cares

is beyond me

[texastoast]

138. Come on. Be a romantic

It is really, really fun to let one's heart rule from time to time.

There is this wonderful thing called senseless joy. Today is a day for it.

[Frisbee]

140. And I still couldn't care any less. n/t

[pmorlan1]

145. I don't get it

They reported on CBS that the servants working at Buckingham Palace aren't permitted to look the Royals in the eye. That's not something I want to celebrate.

The media coverage was over-the-top. It was nothing but a distraction and I just don't get those who are so enamored of everything royal. Sorry guys, I don't mean to rain on your parade but we should have outgrown wishing we were princesses a long time ago.

[axollot]

147. There is various protocols for each area of the household staff -

staff I may add that receive a better wage than our regular WH staff, benefits, holidays, bonuses etc. Plus they can work anywhere in Europe afterwards. But not ALL staff cannot look upon the Royals - just protocols. They are not slaves tho. Sheesh.

Cheers
Sandy

[katty]

152. congrats...start making those royal babies

[goodnews]

153. Shit, if you are going to glorify the thieves what do you

expect from them?

Fucking lunacy!

[wordpix]

181. well, it was his ancestors who were the thieves so don't blame him

was just reading about Charles II and his trade deals in Asia. Thieves, indeed.

[ReggieVeggie]

164. I give it six months

:P

[TK421]

167. sooooo....what will the scandal be?

:D

[ReggieVeggie]

174. I think Kate will go out on him

[lynne]

170. Got to shake my head at those fussing about all the money and attention this is getting -

- when a good number of the complainers will forget about tornado's for a little while and go back to their soccer and baseball games this weekend, are revving up for next week's Kentucky Derby, and wouldn't miss the Super Bowl no matter what was going on in the world. They'll jointly consume enough munchies and beer in the process to feed a third-world nation.

Give it a rest. Sometimes we need to take a break from what has become our reality so that we can recognize it when confronted.

[defendandprotect]

173. Did they go off as Diana&Charles did to a honeymoon ... or will it be later ....???

Where are they going?

Anyone know?

[dipsydoodle]

175. Just chillin' out for a few days

and then he's back at work on search and rescue.

see here @ 13.05 BST.

The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left Buckingham Palace by helicopter, following a day and night of marriage celebrations.

They departed on Saturday for an undisclosed location. They have asked the media for privacy and no details of a honeymoon have been released.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13248441

[Gin]

178. her shoes were never mentioned...I read she is 5 ft 10...is that right?

[dipsydoodle]

179. She is that height apparently

Maybe she just had Keds on under that dress. :shrug:

Wills is five inches taller.