A Royal Wedding: No Common Thing
Ever seen a photo of King George V and Tsar Nicholas II? The likeness isn’t just uncanny, it’s stunning. It’s almost impossible to tell the two apart. It’s no coincidence of course; the two were first cousins. This should come as no surprise; European royals have long married between themselves as a means to strengthen both international relations and their grip on their respective thrones.
Even to this day, across Europe’s various kingdoms from the UK to Sweden, Spain to Denmark, Belgium to Norway, thrones are occupied by the descendants of two of Europe’s monarchs at the turn of the 20th century, Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Victoria. In fact, of Europe’s reigning monarchs, only Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is not a part of that lineage.
Nonetheless, among all those cousins marrying cousins throughout the echelons of Europe’s most esteemed families, there are also plenty of examples of royals marrying outside of their elite circles. Some of these inter-class marriages have been proven unabashed successes, others not so much – while others have been marred in spectacular controversy.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot is such stunning fashion earlier this month, then, they were hardly setting a trend. That said, any royal wedding, with a commoner or otherwise, is an event to behold. Markle’s striking good looks and that dress were indeed well worth all the celebration; street parties, celebrity masks, mini Union Jacks, 19-tier cakes n’ all.
Now let’s take a look at some other marriages of recent times between royals and commoners and see if there are any clues as to what lies ahead for the couple of the moment:
1. Prince William & Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton was, is and continues to be one of the most naturally beautiful individuals to grace the public imagination. William and Kate met at university – her, the daughter of a flight attendant-turned-entrepreneur; him, the son of the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Their sweeping romance and picture-perfect family has been arguably the single greatest reason for the royal family’s current surge in popularity.
2. Prince Charles & Diana Spencer
Princess Diana hardly came from a humble background (her father was Earl Spencer and she was a Lady previous to her marriage at the age of 21), but she was nevertheless a commoner, and the first to marry an heir to the British throne in 300 years. Unparalleled beauty and grace, she embodied the very essence of majesty and will never be forgotten.
2. Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson
Fun-loving Fergie brought an entirely different kind of charisma to the royal family than her great pal, Lady Di. Mischievous, playful and cheeky she was, but sadly her marriage to Prince Andrew was not to last, and the couple split after 6 years. Also sadly, Ferguson seems to have been largely excluded from the royal family, despite a relationship that stretches decades, and of course her being so fondly thought of by William and Harry’s much-missed mother, Princess Diana.
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I adore Harry and Meghan. I have watched a TV show about Harry’s struggle to find his purpose of life. It is great that he can conquer his bad habits and marry a woman he love. The power of love (from mother, father, family, friends) is the answer.
I witnessed Prince Charles & Diana Spencer’s wedding when I was young and I love seeing a royal wedding everytime. And now, I appreciate the modernity that the royal families accept interracial marriages among them now.
I do love a good wedding and couldn’t help but watch Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle we’d just as I had watched William and Kate before them. I have always had an interest in the Royals.
I love the romantic story line of a royal wedding. Nice post. Thank you for sharing it.
A Royal Wedding is an event which is for sure. Those are the three other royal weddings I remember in my lifetime. My girlfriend loved watching the recent one.
I love the romantic story line of a royal wedding. You didn’t great job writing about it.
19-tier cakes sound amazing. Love Meghan’s dress though, hope they’ll have a happy marriage.
The recent wedding for me was a big turning point. So many modern turns such as Harry wearing a wedding ring! (did you know that no male royal wears a wedding ring Harry is the first ?) I loved thier wedding so much I actually watched it again today lol
I really love William & Kate and Harry & Meghan because you could tell they love each other so much. Got to love that happy ever after.
I love Prince william and kate than Prince harry and meghan wedding. But I love it more when they marry a commoner.
What a cool post. I never knew about this maybe its because I live in america. Thank for the insight! 🙂
this truly fascinates to read about the royals and commoners 🙂 i actually learned something new haha
Very well said. I love Kate too, she is so beautiful yet humble. Didn’t know about Andrew and Sarah, thanks for sharing about them.
I still think it is gross that some of the Royal legacy is known that many of them are inbredding. Also Princess Diana is still my favorite royal woman but it was an honor to watch Harry and Megan tie the knot I can say I saw a Royal wedding!
Makes you always wonder could we have been that commoner???
This post made me miss Princess Diana. I suddenly believe in fairytales when a royal blood marries a commoner.
The last royal wedding that was in the news was the first one that I was really interested in. It’s beautiful to see the ceremony and all that goes with it.
It’s hard to turn away from the excitement an drama of the royals!
Its nice reading about royals and commoners but doesn’t really interest me much of late.
I always love when a commoner marries a royal. Heck, Anne Boleyn did it. Granted, she did lose her head in the end…
I may be the only one who doesn’t care about these weddings! LOL!
I have always loved learning about the Royals. I think they are kind of fascinating, and seeing a commoner American marry into the family is really something to see!
I always love reading about commoners marrying royals. It’s what makes you heart go aww