With the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton scheduled for April 2011, the world has caught royal wedding fever. Why do the happenings of the British royals intrigue us around the world? Why do US women rush to buy the blue dress from an engagement announcement and why are companies and publications around the world trying to maximize on the obsession?
The Glitz
Few events are as elaborate as a British royal wedding and for many around the world, it’s hard to pass up a chance to watch something sure to be so ostentatious. Especially in a year when financial situations around the world are less than glamorous, a royal wedding is a chance to let go of those financial woes and watch the lead-up to something regal and rich. For many in Britain and around the globe, it’s a healthy dose of escapism.
The Story
It’s easy to get swept away in any story of the royal family. Since childhood, people in most countries of the world have heard stories of princes and princesses, royal marriages and royal affairs. Although the British royal family doesn’t command political power, it’s easy to see why they have stayed an important part of Britain’s culture and continue to entrance people around the globe. The personalities and stories are too good to resist.
The Legacy
Perhaps heightening the interest is the fact that the world watched as Lady Diana married Prince Charles, and then watched as the marriage fell apart, and watched as she met her tragic death. It was hard for anyone to not be cheering her sons on as they grew up and stay glued to media coverage through their many ups and downs of the teenager and early adulthood years. In the marriage to Kate Middleton, it seems obvious that people are watching to regain some of the grandeur of Prince William’s parents’ story, only this time, we can hope, with a happy end.
