GrammaT asked if any of us were interested in the upcoming royal wedding and there were many responses voicing a variety of opinions. Several of you commented on what a waste of money it was and how lavish it seemed and how that money could be used in so many better ways. I got to thinking, that money IS being used in a good way. If you think about all the peope it will employ from the dress designer to the chef for meals, to the hotel maid for all the rooms rented out by visitors and guests. The little guy who cleans the streets for the processional will make a wage, and so will the dishwasher who cleans up after the reception. Whoever made the table cloths and whoever does all the flower arrangements will get a pay check. Even the tv crews will be paid, and newspapers will sell helping the delivery person earn money.They certainly arent all wealthy and are supporting families too. So, I dont begrudge the rich from having their outlandish wild expensive parties. They help to support all the rest of us who do the hard work behind the scenes and make it all look so good. So, I plan to watch with my little grand daughter and I will be paying attention to the small stuff that put food on someone elses table. Does that make it easier to enjoy watching the wealthy spend their money? I hope so.. Everytime anyone spends a dime, it helps someone else. (o:
What's funny, is none of my friend's from England care. They loathe the royal family. In fact, every single British person I've ever met has less then flattering things to say about them. They said A LOT of people there would be happy not to have the monarchy.
I have no real opinion about it, except that I couldn't care less.
I'm fine with it. They're extraordinarily rich; let them spend their money how they want. I mean, nobody is begrudging the super-rich in America their lavish parties, and it's paid for just as much by taxpayers here as it is in England. (YES, really - when super rich people don't pay any taxes at all, guess who bears the brunt of that? That's right, the middle class does! They drive on the same roads we do, but when there's a pothole on that road to be fixed, it's the guy making $13/hr and paying his taxes who pays for that, not the billionaire who pays no taxes at all. Just saying!)
So - to me, at least the royalty paying for lavish parties using money that has come from taxpayer money is more honest than what we do here in America. We may have an illusion that we don't pay for that kind of thing with taxpayer money, but it's just that - an illusion. Life isn't fair, but it's still fun to watch how they live their fabulous lives!
Great points! I love the royals and royal weddings, and even though I'll be in New Orleans at Jazz Fest, I will be up and watching just like I did 30 years ago! People travel for these events too, so the London tourist economy is also getting a shot in the arm. I like some impracticality in life!
Someone is always starving somewhere.
That will never change.
Someone will always be lavishly, excessively, unbelievably out of this world more wealthy than me.
That will never change either.
Enjoy the pomp and circumstance!
For most of the world it's a free show and for the UK it's a major tourism boost.
It only comes up roughly once every 30 or so years.
I'll be in my 80's when their kids are getting married and I'll watch it if I'm able.
Grumbling about it only makes it sound like you've got a major case of sour grapes and envy.
I believe though that the payment to those dress designers, floral arrangements, chefs, etc is being paid for by the Brittish people. The monarchy still gets paid, as do all of their servants and every event they preside over. And this bill is footed by the people of England.
Am I wrong about this?
Not to say I'm not dying to see Kate's wedding gown!
Isn' it every llittle girl's dream when she is 5 to marry a prince? Why are Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White so ubiquitous in our culture? It's a dream come true for Kate Middleton, a commoner, just a plain Jane, who snatched herself a prince, and not a bad one at that.
I do not begrudge them their big fancy schmancy wedding. I pray they have a great marriage and she truly becomes the next peoples' princess like her MIL, God rest her soul.
On April 29 we can all be princesses for a little bit. THen go back to our own dismal lives, not that we all lead dismal lives, but certainly compared to Kate we do.
Plus a wedding is something to celebrate. We have so much death and destruction in this world. Maybe for one moment we can all come together and just be happy for the couple, even if they control and use all the money in England, which I doubt they will.
Great points. I hope that this marriage doesn't turn into a sad story like Charles and Di's marriage. It may appear to be a fairy tale to marry a future monarch, but let's hope that reality doesn't destroy yet another two lives.
While I disasgree with you, I will also watch the royal wedding out of curiosity. I feel all of that money could go towards starving people and people with diseases around the world. All of the employees that you mentioned (florist, cook, guy who sweeps the street, etc.) will have their jobs anyway - the hungry need to eat, and people with horrible illnesses need proper medical attention.
I am from England and I will be watching it without feeling guilty. I also have to add that not all English people loathe the royal family, many of my family and friends over there are excited about the big day.Yes it is an extremely lavish affair but they could hardly sneak off and get married in private (which is possibly what they really wanted). The wedding may be paid for, in part, by the tax payers but it will also have brought in millions to the economy through tourism, and it will be a morale boost for many British people. William and Kate have tried to be mindful of the economic situation in England by stating that they do not want wedding gifts but have set up a website where people can donate to many different charities around the world.
I think that those who are interested should watch without guilt and those who are not should go about their day as usual. I personally want to see the dress more than anything. So, yes, I will be watching it with my boys before school.
Amen sister...preach on!!! I agree with you 1000%!!!!
Its the Royal Family & Princess Diana's son getting married. Thats reason enough to watch it! So sad that she doesnt get to see her son married. (I wonder how the bride & groom feel about the world watching? They have no "right" to privacy, regardless of how they might feel about it)
You're true. It would take thousands of lavish parties to offset the good works done by the late Princess Diana.
Great point!! I will be watching, too! :)
In addition, William and Catherine are trying to reign in the spending on things ... the Queen is not exactly helping but they as a couple do not want all of the crazy Poshness of the event, at least per interviews done.
that's a good take on it. I suppose THEY are paying for all the sponsors to put it on our tv stations too, that must be why our country buys into it. It's basically a business deal. Hopefully our country isnt paying theirs for us to watch it.
good point.
I wonder how many responded in that fashion paid for a wedding themselves. Not many people opt out for the JP and I would say about half that do will at some point in time have a wedding wedding.
I don't think I will be setting my DVR or watching the clock so I don't miss it but if I happen to see it I will sit and enjoy it. I will call my daughter in so she can see it and start up a what will you do when you are all growned up conversation.
I wasn't interested at all but after chatting with my friend that currently lives outside London I'm even LESS interested. She also had some interesting (and VERY unflattering stories) about Diana. All in all neither one of us is a fan of "The Royals."
On the upside, LeAnne Rimes got remarried without all the drama. Maybe she's learned her lesson?
All nice points.
I will say, however, that this isn't so much a 'rich royal family' having a lavish wedding-- I'm sure there's a big chunk of taxpayer money thrown in too. Recent polls suggest that the majority of Brits are happy to keep their monarchy for now, but let's be clear--no one's hawking royal jewels to pay all these folks for their services! :)
I personally have not been bitten by the Royal Wedding bug. I don't dislike it, it's just that I care for it about as much as I would care about the wedding of any other set of strangers. Nothing against them, and I hope those who enjoy the pomp and procession have a great time watching it.
i even heard them talking about the groom's cake, and how it was a secret palace recipe - but they have some Joe downtown making it. i thought that was nice.
