Appreciating the royals

The argument for the British monarchy has suddenly got brighter and better with the brilliant royal wedding -- while the argument for United States republicanism (and their limited corrupt “democracy”) has suddenly got even more difficult with the apparent candidacies of Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. Where do they get these people?

William and Catherine showed up on their wedding day looking just what they are, two intelligent and thoughtful young adults, full of life, deeply in love, talented, handsome. The occasion seemed to bring out the best in everyone. Catherine answered all the endless excruciating speculation about the wedding dress by coming beautifully forth in something utterly right for her, relaxed and lovely. William was as handsome a prince as any fairytale fantasy might want -- while brother Harry was exactly who you might want at your elbow right then.

And it was Christian. It was not any kind of sentimental saccharine substitute. It was a solemn occasion in the best sense. They did not get married on a beach or in somebody’s silly garden. They did not arrive already slightly intoxicated. They and their guests, for the most part, did not dress bizarrely. (An exception was the two York daughters who, as one fashionista observed, appeared to be going on to appear in some pantomime.)

There were old and precious values here. The Dean of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, none of them ever pompous or preachy, contented themselves to let the great words speak for themselves, which they did. The prayer written by the bride and groom, and read for them by a good bishop, was simple and meaningful. The music was English, Welsh, and lovely. They made their serious vows together right where William’s grandmother long ago promised a lifetime of service. They were blessed by one of the finest archbishops ever to come to Canterbury.

Things do not always go right for the House of Windsor. They have not always gone right for the house of Miller, Smith or Jones. But I will back the Windsors. They wear their wounds with grace and dignity, and truth. They are able to change. They bear the utter poison of the mostly hideous British media for the most part with wisdom and grace.

Maybe this wedding was a punch in the solar plexus of the shallow-waders who are bored with anything thoughtful or meaningful, who airily dismiss marriage vows as “pieces of paper”, who assume serious commitment is entirely provisional and they must “keep their options open”... those who think it important to be trendy and consign “religion” to outer darkness since we are modern and enlightened. “Christian...? Oh god, no...!”

William and Catherine evidently think for themselves and come to decisions. They also seem to take counsel from wise people when they want to.

Well anyway, it gives me hope.