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April 29, 2011
Bell's cartoon is crude in the context of the glamour and celebrity culture of a British royal wedding that pulls out all the stops in terms of tradition, ritual and mysticism of the Anglican religion and the Crown. This media spectacle of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was impossible to avoid. So some satire of the extravagance of these global celebrities is necessary. It was unfortunate that the Chaser was banned by Clarence House.
Steve Bell
If the Gothic architectural space of Westminster Abbey was impressive, then the music was certainly less so. It failed to soar and, on occasions, came close to background muzak. The sermon by Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, sounded philosophically muddled.
Often the event appeared to be more about the Anglican Church than a royal wedding. Or was it the mysticism of the Anglican religion and the Crown?
Notwithstanding that it was a pretty impressive spectacle, and a fun occasion for the British, especially conservative Britain. Royal occasions are something which Britain does well. The hats worn by the female guests (eg., Princess Beatrice of York ) were suitably outrageous for this pageantry. London celebrated, forgetting that poverty in British households will rise from the politics of austerity. Middleton's elegant retro wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton, was seen as a triumph for British fashion.
Was it about patriotism or national pride? Is this dynasty the symbol of British nationhood?
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The Windsors have become a real life soapy.