A wedding to lift the spirits

IT was Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, who spoke for the nation when he proclaimed that “a bit of hope” would be injected into the country by the much anticipated Royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. His eloquent assertion will have resonated with those whose spirits need lifting.

However, today’s ceremony, with the pomp and pageantry due to be witnessed by a global TV audience of two billion people, will offer far more than “hope”. It heralds a new dawn for the Monarchy as William and his Queen-to-be become even more prominent in public life.

There has been a symmetry through the decades between Royal weddings, and the austere times that have formed their social and economic backdrop to these glittering state occasions which, without fail, show Britain at its very best.

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The Queen’s marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh took place at a time of post-war food rationing in 1947 – while Britain was bedevilled by recession, and inner-city riots, when Prince William’s parents wed 30 years ago.

These services were, at the time, beacons of hope that will be repeated when Prince William and his bride will vow, in the magisterial splendour of Westminster Abbey, to love, comfort, honour and keep each other. This thoroughly modern marriage comes at a time of economic angst, and also the current world tumult that magnified the many diplomatic dilemmas over the final guest list.

Yet these difficulties should not detract from the young couple’s quiet determination to balance their public duties with their own interests, and while also learning some very painful lessons from history. In many respects, they have become exemplary role models and long may this continue.

As such, the constant comparisons with the late, and still missed, Diana, Princess of Wales are not altogether helpful to the soon-to-be Princess Catherine on her daunting journey from “commoner” to future Queen. She needs to continue to define her role in her own way, but has already provided – with her university soul-mate Prince William by her side – to be a gifted individual who can uplift and inspire because of her easy-going empathy with people from all walks of life.

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And, if the newlyweds need any inspiration, they should look no further than Dr Sentamu’s explanation about why the Queen is so revered almost 60 years after her accession to the throne.

“Why?” he asked this week. “Because she puts God first, puts neighbour second, puts her duty third and puts herself last.”

If Prince William and his princess can follow this simple but thoughtful template, they will not only be a credit to themselves, but the House of Windsor and the wider world. We wish them well and every future happiness together.