I must admit to being somewhat ambivalent about Saturday's nuptials between Prince Charles and the former Mrs Parker-Bowles. Well, only somewhat.
On the one hand, I think, "well, I suppose it's about time". I mean they've been in love for over 30 years. Had the Royal Establishment not been so prudish, and Charles so wishy-washy about fighting for love all those years ago, the two would have married and Lady Diana Spencer (probably having made a good marriage and produced a house full of lovely children) might still be alive. We'd have never known her as we do, of course, but that light might still brightly shine, but for fate. On the other hand, I'm a bit of a Diana loyalist, so I don't want to be too giddy for the newlyweds. Sure, the late Princess of Wales was not without her faults, and goodness knows she had her fair share of neurosis and other sundry quirks; but, she sure knew how to work that charm and endeared herself to millions even whilst her "fairytale" marriage and it's assorted dirty laundry exploded and splattered all over the media. In essence, I think she was truly a good-hearted person, thrown into the royal machinery and caught in way over her head. Given the life of fringe nobility, she'd have probably lived to a ripe-old, scandal-free age - grand-children and maybe even great-grand-children running amok in the garden, taking tea with her nearest and dearest and gossiping about the royal family. If she were alive today, she might be spinning in her grave at the thought of Camilla being stepmother to her two boys. However, even Diana (wherever her free spirit may be), would probably agree that those lads are pretty much past the age of being "mothered" - step, or otherwise - and that in the big scheme of things, two ol' farts finally tying the knot after 30-odd years of cocking up - in the name of love - marriages entered into in the name of propriety, makes a fair end to the soap opera tale that is "House of Windsor".
I can't help it - I really like Diana, Princess of Wales. For all her faults, she was just too nice, just too "REAL" not to like. That being said, Camilla -- emmm - HRH, The Duchess of Cornwall -- did look lovely today. Her features softer than I'm used to seeing in the photos one sees in the media. Maybe it was the relief of finally settling down with her true love, after many, many years of hurt - not just that of the "victims" of the love affair, her ex-husband and children, and her new husband's ex-wife and children - but her own and his own hurt of what could have and probably should have been. Happily ever after...finally?
So, tonight, I raise a glass: To Diana, Princess of Wales - May you rest in peace and know only happiness, wherever your soul may be, ever after. And, to TRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - May the rest of your years be spent in peace and healing and happiness.
