Sunday, May 1, 2011

The Fair Bridal

On Friday morning, I found myself tweeting the royal wedding. As anyone who watched the wedding knows, it was like the most wonderful film ever made...except that it was real. I was uplifted by the beauty of the event and the sense of connection with the ages. I enjoyed being one of the many crazy Americans who rose before dawn to join millions around the world witness the marriage vows of two young people. There are few young people today who have escaped the stains of scandal, tragedy and worldliness. Seeing such an attractive and very prominent couple dare to accept the challenges of matrimony, in spite of everything that has gone before, is a sign of hope. I was glad to read the following words in The Catholic Herald:
Speaking in an interview with the Catholic Herald in Rome this afternoon, Archbishop Vincent Nichols went on to compare the beatification of Pope John Paul II, which takes place tomorrow morning, with the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge which he attended yesterday.

He said: “Tomorrow, in a way, is a celebration of the same love that William and Catherine promised to each other – yesterday in marriage, today in service of priest, bishop and Pope – but it’s the same well-spring of love that comes from God that we see on both days.”

Describing yesterday’s events in Westminster Abbey, Archbishop Nichols said that the crowd cheered at two points during the wedding ceremony. He said: “It was very remarkable when it happened. The first [instance] was when the two exchanged their promises. So when Catherine said ‘I will’ there was a great cheer. People recognised the solemnity of the promises that were being made. The second was when the Archbishop of Canterbury said ‘So in the sight of God and these people I now declare you man and wife’ and there was a great cheer.

“There is popular recognition that marriage is a fresh start. That this from now on was something different and it was a profound change in the life of both those young people. And everybody recognises it. I think that gives the lie to the idea that marriage is of little consequence in our society. It clearly is of great consequence in the eyes of people witnessing and taking part in that marriage yesterday.”
Congratulations and best wishes to Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! I think that the new Princess William (not "Princess Catherine") was an exceptionally lovely bride. The gown was elegant, dignified and understated, recalling Grace Kelly's. It is rare to see such perfect poise and exquisite posture in anyone from the present generation.

Meanwhile, my friend Leslie Carroll, author of Notorious Royal Marriages, has been in London all week and has sent home some reports, HERE and HERE.

There are some wonderful photos from The Daily Mail, HERE. And even more HERE.

See the official wedding program.

Last but not least, have fun seeing some crazy wedding hats. Share

11 comments:

carden said...

Count my mother, seven year-old daughter and me as fellow crazy Americans who rose well before daybreak to watch the wedding festivities. We made scones, had tea and wore hats (with our pajamas!) I would do it again in a heartbeat--what an enchanting, inspiring day. I loved that the Anglican priest began with a quote from St. Catherine of Sienna. I am sure St. Thomas More and all the other English martyrs were smiling as well:)

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, very enchanting indeed!!

May said...

I heartily wish the new royal couple all the best! May St. Catherine of Siena always keep the new Princess in her special care.

Julygirl said...

The beauty and pagentry was overwhelming,I was in awe the entire time....and the music was celestial, the choice was inspired......

Alice Seidel said...

Here's another crazy A, if you count dvr-ing 3 hours right when it counted! I love weddings and this one was beautiful! Kate's dress was so like that of Grace Kelly and the gracefulness and poise which these two young people brought to the entire affair is heartwarming. Diana would have been so proud of her 'ddg' (drop-dead gorgeous) firstborn!
May they have a long and loving marriage! Cheers!

elena maria vidal said...

I agree, everyone! I think we really need to pray for them, though.

lara77 said...

A breathtaking wedding; the British do pomp and pageantry like no other nation! All one can do is wish the couple every blessing and happiness. I was thinking while watching the wedding what a shame that France ended its monarchy. Can you imagine the pomp if the French still had a King and a Dauphin or son of the Dauphin were to be married? A wedding in the Royal Chapel at Versailles or Notre Dame de Paris?? Too beautiful to imagine!

Julygirl said...

Yes, lara77, I was envisioning the same thing re what such an event would have been like if the French still had a monarchy.

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, the English were always outdone by the French as far as pomp and the Russians outdid everyone. I am grateful for the glimpse of past glory we were afforded by the wedding of those dear children.

CR Wall said...

I loved the wedding! I cried; it was so beautiful. I agree with you, Elena. They new royal couple will need prayer to sustain them in the years ahead.

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, they will!