Last November Prince William of Wales proposed to his girlfriend of almost 10 years. In the official announcement interview it didn't take long to notice that the blue sapphire ring surrounded by sparkling diamonds was the same that had once rested on Princess Dianna's finger back in the 1980's. Since then every media outlet has been plastered with images of "Wills and Kate"... well, more so than before anyway. In the weeks leading up to their wedding it was to the point of annoyance. Their rehearsal, the food, the guest list, the venue, the dress designer, the wedding party.... everything was under speculation. So, as American's long removed from the rule of the monarchy, why on earth do we care?
I've heard mixed opinions about the subject. Some consider it a big joke in itself, others consider it to be a Cinderella story come true. The truth is, I think that it is painfully sad if you don't care even a little bit. The union of William of Wales and Kathryn Middleton is more than a fairy tale romance. It's more than a marked day in history. It's more than two people falling in love. It is all that, and more.
Their whole relationship is different than any of the other royals. Their relationship blossomed from a friendship to a relationship outside of the public eye. Because of those years that they were together, undisturbed, at Saint Andrews I truly believe that their relationship was able to develop untainted, unlike that of his parents. The time that they were afforded gave them the chance to truly get to know each other, and to truly fall in love. When they were out of the safety of University and the media storm began they were able to weather through it, for the most part. Granted, there was a brief moment in time where they broke up, but they couldn't stay apart long.
During their engagement interview, William finally got serious about why it took him so long to propose. He said he wanted to wait until he knew for sure that she was ready, and willing, to take on all that would come with marrying him. Obviously, she was and today every news media outlet is flashing images of them together... him looking regal in his military dress uniform and her exquisite in her gown. They are the image of happiness and love, and even the hardest hearted person has enough heart to notice that.... even if they are resentful about it.
You see, we care because this whole thing has humanized a family that has long seemed untouchable. Kathryn Middleton is an average girl that fell in love with a guy, and he fell in love with her... but it is far from a Cinderella story. Because when they were at Saint Andrews together, he wasn't a prince... he was merely another student, another guy... another friend that vented his frustrations and worries about everyday life. They are both well educated, young, and openly in love with one another. They've settled into this life, this routine, where they are the center of one another's world, yet balance the weight of the world on their shoulders.
No doubt, this happens every day. I met the love of my life in school. We were friends first, then we got married. I wore a gown the looked sort of similar to hers actually. Nobody televised my wedding. Less than 50 people were at my ceremony as opposed to the billions that watched when those took their vows. A small number of people will ever see my wedding photos, theirs will go into history books. But, the story is the same. Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy and girl get married... and dreams for happily ever after ensue.
So, why do we care? We care because they are us, and we are them, how can we not care?
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