Just over a week ago on June 19th the Swedish Crown Princess was married. Sweden still lives in a monarchy, well kinda. The Swedish King has no political power and not even really crowned King (never went through the coronation ceremony), but still King. The monarchy is quite controversial actually. Many want it to exist and many would like to get rid of it. I of course coming from the US find it strange to have a King and Queen, but even stranger to have a King and Queen that doesn't have any power, just basically costs Sweden money. Although he has many titles he may not speak out politically.
His first born was a girl (Victoria) and not long after she was born they changed the rule that the next in line to inherit the throne would be the first born and not necessarily the first born son, they later had another daughter and the youngest was a son. So Sweden was the first in the world (as I understand it) to start such a tradition. Which I don't know how controversial it was but different none the less. I do not know what kind of reaction that decision got as that was many many years before I moved here, but the wedding was controversial. She has been dating this man Daniel Westling for many years, but was never allowed to marry him. She had to ask for permission and the king repeatedly did not allow it.. You see he is a commoner (gasp!!), well whatever happened the King finally allowed it and they were engaged. The wedding plans were on their way when the Swedish people had a big problem.. She wanted her father to walk her down the aisle and give her away. Well this was a big problem for the Swedish people.. Here they are so much into equality they did not want to see their Princess given away from her father to another man. A woman is not a good to be given away. I found this very strange. I understand that long ago that is what it symbolized but I think you make traditions mean what you want them to mean. I had my father walk me down the aisle, but I saw it more as a way to include him (while the bride and the moms and sisters are running around planning and picking out dresses and flowers the dads are often not a part of the whole, of course I understand it's not always the way things are but I would bet more often than not)and a way to make a bond between families. that is just my opinion I am sure there are many out there that would gasp at the fact that I had my father walk me down the aisle.. well at least here in Sweden..
So anyways, I really only wanted to share a little video about the goings on here in Sweden. Along with the craziness of the World Cup we had a very large wedding.. So here she is the first born Crown Princess Victoria getting married to a commoner who is now a Prince Daniel in line to inherit a title that bares no political power.
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6 comments:
Hell, they could have got on a plane and gone to Vegas and saved everybody a lot of time, money, and grief.
I wonder why the King changed his mind and allowed her to marry a commoner? Wasn't there some famous member of royalty that gave up his crown to marry?
I don't know what to make of the tradition of Kings and Queens. I guess if that's what you grew up with and are used to, then so be it.
Yes, orbs. It was Edward VIII. I remembered that too. It was deemed very scandalous at the time. Here is some basic info on that.
Everyone gets their undies in such a bundle...commoners/royalty/gay marriage/divorcees. Why do people think it is their business how others lead their lives?
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/On-this-Day--King-Edward-VIII-Abdicated-to-Marry-a-Divorcee.html
That's who it was, kk. Thanks.
We're Americans, we don't have that royal heritage. It must be important to some people. I remember when Charles and Diana got married. The coverage went on forever.
The gay thing is a moral issue with a lot of people and gets real sticky real fast. Interesting that you brought up divorce, because that was once a moral issue, too, but much less so today.
Powerless kings and queens epitomize what Douglas Adams wrote about the Galactic President in the Hithchiker's Guide to the Galaxy: his function was not to wield any power but to draw attention away from those who wield power.
I don't know why he finally decided it was OK to marry a commoner. He from what I understand took her family name and became officially a part of the Family Bernadotte (the royal family) so that cleared up the whole bringing in a new line into the Royal family. I suppose now a days many understand that they hold no real power so there is no real reason to keep it noble of blood. I think the older generations were more upset by the whole thing but they grew up with the King having power. They took away this Kings powers back in the 70s.
Hale I suppose that could always be a reason why he doesnt have any power. Except that you really do not see him in the limelight at all.. It's the politicians you see on TV all the time. the only time the royal family becomes important is when things like this happen or when one of them screws up.
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