In all seriousness...

Last time I was here- and, for that matter, every time I’ve been here- my postings have been somewhat light hearted. I think that maybe it’s time to get a little more serious.

William and Kate are contusing to make engagements ahead of their big day. On a romantic note, they’ve been doing so because William has stated that he ‘wants to introduce her to the entire country.’ So far, he’s doing a good job. First, there was the previously mentioned boat launch in Wales; then. There was the nostalgic return to St Andres University in Scotland, where they two of them first met. After that, for a little while, we weren’t sure exactly where it was that they had gone. Turns out, they went to Northern Ireland.

This serves as a reminder for some people- while the monarchy is seen sometimes as nothing but a symbolic institution, there are some who obviously take it seriously enough that they would still make threats against them- in other words, Irish separatists, or at least, that’s what the implication is. Turns out, though, that they really didn’t need to worry, because William and Kate were welcomed in Belfast with open arms. William even relaxed enough to admit that he was ‘terrified’ of marriage. (Joke! obviously)

The fact that they we welcomed so openly demonstrate the impact that they and their marriage will have on the world, or even just the monarchy itself. William and his brother Harry have always been somewhat like pop culture icons, young and hip. I mean, who didn’t love William giving a rap star shoulder roll clad in Canadian Olympic winter gear? (Le sigh)

Anyway, these days, royalty have become more prominent and visible to younger people, so they are starting to form opinions about the monarchy and what they want from it, or whether they want it at all or not. William and Kate’s wedding will make the Royals even more relatable, at least to young people. The fact that a prince is marrying a down to earth English girl just like any of us will stick in our minds, and people might start to think that the monarchy might be worth having around after all, that a monarchy with a new and younger monarch can work just as well as the one we’re used to. There can be that transition, and the Royal wedding is going to help make that happen.