Royals Wedding

Prince William’s longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, turns 27 today, and the media is abuzz with speculation that the prince might use the occasion to finally pop the big question. British tabs are waiting with bated breath for an engagement announcement, and have dubbed Middleton as “Waitie Katie.” The prince will be hard-pressed to top last year’s birthday surprise to the lovely Kate… http://snarkfood.com/will-prince-william-finally-pop-the-question-to-kate-middleton/31630/

If you do not follow all the latest happenings on the royal family, you are probably one of the many people wondering what all the fuss is about. Every time there is a royals wedding or even just rumors of one, everyone tunes in and follows the story. Here are a few reasons on what captures the public eye.

For starters, these weddings are popular for the simple reason that the people getting married are of royal descent. A royal family consists of the reigning monarch’s extended family. As a rule of thumb, the higher a royal family member is in the succession line, the more public attention they get. The press is often quick to satisfy public demand. For this reason, they are under public scrutiny from childhood. Their lives are very much publicized with frequent appearances and chronicles in various media. You might be wondering what generates all this interest.

You might be thinking “So what, why not my family?” You have to remember that unlike other families, the royal family is widely regarded as the symbol of the state. Although they no longer enjoy political power, the royal family still has a considerable influence in the way the country is run. Depending on existing laws, a monarch may exercise some political power or function. Usually, a monarch is a head of state serving as a figurehead with no political power. They also represent traditions often stretching back to the Middle Ages or even beyond that. The family’s history is often intertwined with the history of the nation and its people.

To ensure the line of succession, producing heirs is one of the family’s priorities. This is where the wedding comes in. The lack of an heir often results in a crisis of succession which can be problematic. An heir can be determined through dynastic succession that is, the closest living descendant of the former monarch usually male. Some countries such as Britain also allow females to ascend to the throne. Traditionally, royalty only choose to marry those who are of noble blood as well. Intermarriages among royal families are quite common as in Europe for many generations. One can probably say that these are just like other people getting married but with a lot more expectations.

These are just some of the reasons why a royals wedding receives much attention. So the next time you catch wind of one, try to remember these things and you will appreciate them more.