Looking Back on the Royal Wedding

Like two billion or so other people, or so we've been told, I watched quite a bit of the recent royal wedding coverage from London.  I've watched William grow up in the public eye, and kept tabs on his on again, off again romance with Kate Middleton over the years.  Finally, the two made the decision to commit their lives to each other...to become one in marriage.

Most little girls grow up with stories of young maidens being swept off their feet by charming princes, so this story grabbed hearts and headlines the world over.  To my surprise, even some of my "he-men" colleagues admitted to rising early to watch the nuptuals.  For me, I liked the pageantry, the formality and the music, and I really appreciated the couple's choice to be married in an unabashedly Anglican, even evangelical service. 



Prince William and his bride are bound together as they vow to become one in marriage.

When they exchanged vows, they followed Anglican tradition and answered in the affirmative to the following questions: "Wilt thou have this man/woman to thy wedded husband/wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony?  Wilt thou love him/her, comfort him/her, honour and keep him/her, in sichess and in health? And, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?"

When couples are serious about the vows they take before family, friends, and most importantly God, they truly are making a deep commitment to each other.  They are agreeing to face the good times and bad that come in all marriages...together.  They are agreeing to maintain fidelity in the relationship, and to continue to love and honor one another.  In this day, especially in western Europe where religious traditions have been all but done away with entirely, it is heartening to see the most famous couple, and perhaps the most admired as well, choose to express their belief in each other, and their belief in God in a very public way.

The Bishop of London opened his short homily with the following declarative statement.  "Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves."  Farther into his talk, he said, "As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life.  This is to load our partner with too great a burden.  We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.  As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light."

I find his words heartening, for in the darkest times that come to us all at some point, even in marriage, there is indeed a peace that passes all understanding, a person in the name of Jesus who we can turn to to bind our wounds and help us overcome hurts and transgressions.  The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate) will live an untraditional life no matter how hard they may try to maintain some level of what most of us would consider normalcy.  They will need, as we all do, that higher power to face down the challenges that lie ahead.  I might add that from all appearances and reports, it looks like they are getting off to a very good beginning.  May we all wish them well on their journey ahead.

That said, I couldn't end this post without offering you this...for those who just have to see them once more.  Enjoy your journey through the Royal Hat Parade.

Princess Beatrice shows off what is "apparently" British high style with this Philip Treacy hat creation.