Wasn't so long back that Andrew was the spare. He like his older brother made a disastrous choice of whom to marry.
Being the spare it's not such a big issue in the bloodline hereditary mentality.Can anyone name the other sons of George V other than Edward who abdicated?
Queenie's mind must have gone through some personal painful issues during this ceremony, for example what if....Edward had not been compromised and become the Monarch with full Coronation and all the pomp of it with Wallis as his Consort. Would her own father have lived longer, would she have lived in a much quieter and less constricting environment?. Her uncle would have been King Emperor and had all the attention, something he was prepared for all his life. Wallis would have probably embraced the attention with both arms.
Edward said years after (late 1950's)Wallis had no idea what he what walking away from and still didn't. His father just before he died said
"I give the boy six months to ruin himself"
Both were correct
The looks on many faces were shock, some hid it better than others, some like the other queen present Elton John found it amusing. Because this was a marriage of a former spare the inclusion of gospel and the US preacher happened, if this were the marriage of an Heir then....things would have been different.
Age and detachment are the two factors in bringing the looks of shock to various faces of different age groups, they are not used to seeing such breaks with tradition in their personal places such as Windsor Castle. Charles on the other hand seemed to be lapping it up.
Charles is known for previously having a soft spot for "dem wimin of colour" especially three singers from Detroit led by Sheila Ferguson. He is widely reported to be warmly welcoming of Meghan's mother.
Meghan has not really done herself any favours with the "old guard" since Saturday. To them she must appear as the full of herself bolshy American who has failed to tone down the causes she championed before. It's done differently from inside the Royal family.
This will change or there will be behind the scenes suggestions that it will.
Is Meghan a threat?
Nope, not unless the papers and their nonsense are allowed to influence thinking. Some of the more left leaning papers are saying the wedding was a service in "blackness"
Irony eh
This pair are not evil IMO, their are the product of their respective backgrounds, so far it seems genuine and all they have to do is understand William is destined to be the one whose family live in Windsor, London, Sandringham, and Balmoral. They like Andrew before them are expected to take a backseat and not upstage the heir.
In this the circus surrounding Harry may make him feel in later years he has nothing to do, for Meghan .... the coming weeks will ensure she learns what the most stunning bird cage on the planet she is now in is like.
If she can fit into being a second place media celeb to Williams wife and daughter then all will be well for her.
As for Diana.....here I take a different view.....she was a hypocrite, liar, and manipulator of the highest order. Between her and Sarah Ferguson they managed to destroy the image of the House of Windsor. Recall who Diana died with?
Those two grew up with Royalty, they knew exactly what they were getting into, and wrecked it like spoilt petulant little girls. Meghan will be given some slack and much guidance. She has a potential to be play her best part ever to full effect and be fondly accepted. She has the future King onside.
This young American woman just might, and I stress might, be a steady influence. God knows some of the younger uptight Regal females seriously could do with some clue about ordinary people....and a damn good spanking.
And no I am not a Monarchist in any form. I could have been in earlier life but Queenie as head of state has signed every bit of flawed and illegal law presented to her, no excuse as she knows the Constitution as she was an heir, her father less so as he stepped in from the side lines to save the Monarchy after his brother abdicated.
Time will tell. Windsor council went on a homeless round up spree before this event. Don't want the poor to show us up now, not good form old chap.
I know perhaps one who would have enjoyed this expensive wedding, just one, a relative who thinks the rectangle of coloured cloth called a flag represents her identity still.
Everyone else either don't give a stuff (yours truly) or resents the cost and coverage...or both (ditto)
For many the Monarchy belong in a past age......if you suggest to May's circus of a Govt you would pay handsomely for them then you Americans could buy them....not that I'm suggesting that of course