Prince William and Kate Middleton

[Eric_Lowe]

I totally agree with Grace. He does not represent many including me that is in the faith. Those who are not may not understand the dismay when he said something like Islamic laws should be real laws too...A dividing figure to say the least.

[violetta]

I read an article on the engagement by a Polish reporter and producer. She has been living in the UK (London) for many years, she has been working for BBC for 17 years. This is a summary of her impresiions and opinions as she witnessed the whole situation after the announcement of the engagement.

1. The most exciting aspect of the forthcoming marriage is the bride. She has been fully accepted by the "Firm". She hasn`t made any major mistake, she is discreet and has impeccable manners. Her appearance is that of a real princess. The British monarchy changed its views on the principles and traditions of royal marriages. Failure of the arranged marriage between Diana and Charles contributed to  the change of the monarchy`s opinion.

2. The young people experienced ups and downs in their relationship. The decision to marry was sober-minded and well-considered so the Queen accepted and respected their decision.

3.Kate`s situation and her future position bring about certain worries. Does she realize what she is getting into? She sentences herself to isolation. Some people ask what made the young, well-educated and well-off woman to enter "one of the most dysfunctional families".


4. For centuries the British royal family mistreated their female members. MAny think how Kate will manage to cope with her public functions and her family role. Will she manage to make her dreams of happy family life come true? How will she cope with pressure and constant assessment made by the Firm? the first tension appeared when kate was to choose a designer for her wedding dress. The Royals objected to the choice of Kate`s favorite Brasilian designer fearing that the dress wil be too extravagant.   The Royal family insisted on the choice of a British designer.

5. Many people point out that Kate is entering the Royal family without any real life experience. She worked for a short time for a family company but she hardly had any time to define who she really is. She hasn`t had a possibility to understand herself.

6.British feminists are irritated,too. They think that in this way they show that marriage is the crowning achievement of every woman and the goal that every woman needs to attain.
 7. kate started therapy that will prepare her to live in the Royal family. They say, that William initiated this therapy trying to spare stresses and depression to  his future wife. He thinks that she should avoid the stresses that his mother had to face. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, decided to help Kate in the process of adjustment to life in the Royal family.

[Kalafrana]

I'm a bit disappointed that Kate Middleton will not be going to the Abbey by carriage. Wishing to avoid unnecessary expense is commendable but I really don't think it will make much difference to the overall cost.

The other interesting issue is who Prince William will choose for his two supporters. Charles, Andrew and Edward all used each other. George VI, the Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Kent each had three brothers to choose from. William, however, only has one brother. Presumably he will use Harry, but who will be his second supporter. Back in 1893 the future George V used his father and uncle, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. How about Charles and Harry?

Ann

[Grace]

I'm a bit disappointed that Kate Middleton will not be going to the Abbey by carriage. Wishing to avoid unnecessary expense is commendable but I really don't think it will make much difference to the overall cost.
Ann

I am too...really disappointed.  How often do we get to see the magic of a royal bride travelling to her wedding in a royal coach?  Car = BORING!  How can it really save that much money?

[Lucien]

I'm a bit disappointed that Kate Middleton will not be going to the Abbey by carriage. Wishing to avoid unnecessary expense is commendable but I really don't think it will make much difference to the overall cost.

The other interesting issue is who Prince William will choose for his two supporters. Charles, Andrew and Edward all used each other. George VI, the Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Kent each had three brothers to choose from. William, however, only has one brother. Presumably he will use Harry, but who will be his second supporter. Back in 1893 the future George V used his father and uncle, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. How about Charles and Harry?

Ann

Friends,friends do nicely as best man.They do not have to be Royal,next of kin or any of that.
A car is fine,it gets one from A to B perfectly,really girls,be glad there is to be a wedding and
really,they will go back to the Palace by carriage.A car is better protected too,and you won't get
to see the dress till she gets out of the car,keeps the surprise up.

[Kalafrana]

I'm not bothered about the dress, quite frankly. I just like carriages.

And royalty don't have best men.

I hope the happy pair aren't going to do a Tony Blair and insist on relentless modernity.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

A car does robs it of a bit of history & magic (and tradition). 

[Taren]

I believe that Kate is allergic to horses, which might help explain why she wouldn't necessarily want to be near them on her wedding day.

[Eric_Lowe]

BAD SIGN !!! The Queen adore horses and so is Charles & Camilla. There is going to be problems...

[bonbon823]

I didn't know a person could be allergic to horses...is she allergic to other animals too, say, corgis??

[Kalafrana]

I think people tend to be allergic to the animal's hair, not the animal.

Being unhappy around horses is not a good start to life with the royal family. Diana, notoriously, didn't like horses!

Ann

[Vecchiolarry]

Hi,

My 2 cents from Macao, China (I'm on my cruise, folks!!):

A car is a very bad decision.  People expect the royals to go to and from their weddings in a coach.  At least Diana got it right with this decision!!

Allergic to horses and corgis - - oh boy is she in the wrong family.  And, what about country life?  She better get used to Balmoral and Sandringham or The Queen will have her nose out of joint!!

BTW, did Diana have pets - any dogs or cats around.
And, do Charles & Camilla have pets?
Just asking.....

Larry

[Eric_Lowe]

I agree with Ann & Larry. Kate is going to get it !!! Diana had to ride with her mother-in-law in Sandringham even though she hated horses.

[Grace]

I agree with Ann & Larry. Kate is going to get it !!! Diana had to ride with her mother-in-law in Sandringham even though she hated horses.

What is Kate going to get?  I think the ride Diana took with the Queen was arranged to try to quell her fear of horse-riding after an accident she had as a child but there didn't seem to be any problem afterwards that she didn't take to it and if there was it was within the family only.

I can't see any big deal about Kate riding or not these days, however, she will have to get used to being behind horses in a carriage.  How could allergy be the reason she's not travelling to her wedding ceremony in a closed carriage because it's said she and William will leave the cathedral afterwards in one that is not closed?

[Lucien]

I'm a bit disappointed that Kate Middleton will not be going to the Abbey by carriage. Wishing to avoid unnecessary expense is commendable but I really don't think it will make much difference to the overall cost.
Ann

I am too...really disappointed.  How often do we get to see the magic of a royal bride travelling to her wedding in a royal coach?  Car = BORING!  How can it really save that much money?

No,a car is not boring,it is A OK Grace,anywhere so also in the UK.To be "so upset" about that as some pretend to be
instead of a carriage is way over the top,don't be silly,there willl be more left to guess until the exact sec she gets to
the Abbey to meet that bearded hogwarth lad.You have four more months to get used to the idea.Who spreads the
nonsense as if Catherine is so allergic to horses and how bad that is for the Monarchy???Get real people!!Yes,you too Eric...
No need for stirring up what's useless,no shreaking queens needed either who put oil on that non-fire.Get over it. Brits live
on an island and are therefore catched up later then we classy continentals.... ...and well what do ye know,all of a sudden the
entire former empire desides it's bad,no carriages,no fairytale this and that.A wedding on itself is a fairytale already,everything
else is just there to please us spoiled rotten royalwatchers with a strange but lovely hobby,as if we set the rules for a Monarchy
or anyone involved.

Nah,...come on....You'll see,it won't be halve as bad,I promiss.I never heard anything on the use of cars with Máxima,Mary,
Haakon,Victoria,they all had cars too and did we miss anything guys and galls??!And all went back to their Palaces by carriage
afterwards,just as is planned now...Nah...,see,it will be a perfect day,don't worry.
Btw,have a great time on your cruise Larry... ,and take care of yourself in rainy Oz Grace,I worry more on that