iThere are two significant international events taking place this weekend. One was the funeral of Pope John Paul II, and the second (and of more dubious significance) is the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The Popes farewell was a majestic ceremony attended by Kings and Queens, Prime Ministers and Presidents, world leaders and assorted dignitaries as well as millions of people in St Peters Square. It was a an event that was symbolic of status, class and respect held for the late Pope.
The Royal wedding will be attended by hardly anyone and is shaping up and an equally fitting event that is symbolic of Prince Charles; a chaotic, clumsy shambles, that is annoying more people than exciting them.
The lead up to the wedding has been far from smooth; two dead Heads of State (Pope John Paul II and Prince Rainier III of Monaco), a post-poning of the big day to avoid a diary clash with the Popes funeral, a security prank at the wedding venue, an angry Priest who says the wedding is illegal and that "double adultery should not be used to
obtain a crown" throw in the hostile gossip from an unimpressed public, and the prediction of "sleet and rain" for the big day and you wonder just how hard it has to be.
But there is more.
He has had to get in a "rent a crowd", to a sea of friendly faces lining the streets of Windsor during the royal wedding, as well as to counter any protests from Diana fans. In fact this rent a crowd might be the only ones there. His parents (Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip) aren't going, issuing a Royal snub several weeks ago. Also RSVPing in the negative are the British PM, Tony Blair and the Archbishop of Canterbury. But at least they got an invite, the Duchess of York did not, nor did the girlfriends of his sons (Princes' William and Harry).
But I am sure it will all "be right on the night", and I don't blame the silly old fool if he gets blind drunk. Even if it is only to make Camilla look better.
And to think that this bloke will one day be our King. Worse, though, she'll be our Queen....No wonder the Australian Republican Movement is processing a flurry of new memberships.
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