Royal Wedding - A Shabby Affair?

By Mary E. Stephens
May 26 2011

Psalm 119:128
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning
all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

It is wonderful the way God uses His word to direct our thoughts. After the big hoopla over the Royal Wedding on April 29th I was quite disturbed about how some Christians responded to it.  It made me sad, and frustrated in a way. I couldn’t understand entirely why they were so eager to participate in the media feeding frenzy, and even to go so far as to grant some approval to the wedding.

First of all, let me say that my grandmothers were both “royal watchers.” My mother was for a while as well, but she laid it aside years ago.  At one time I was a "Diana worshipper." Yes, you read that right. It was idolatry. I admit it and call it what it was. 

One of the best days of my life was in the early 1990s when I stood outside by the burning barrel and tore up a pile of photo books ($$$) about her, feeding them into the flames. The sense of deliverance was sweet! I’ve never regretted it, either, and thank God for opening my eyes to that sin. She only went downhill from there. (My dad was secretly delighted as he had never appreciated my infatuation, and probably deplored the money that had been wasted on those books and other things.)

I tell you all this so that you will understand my dismay at seeing so many parents allowing their impressionable daughters watch this wedding, and at seeing so many Christian women (and maybe I should say men too) enjoying the falderal and pomp of this shabby wedding.

How can I call it shabby?  From a worldly standpoint it was spectacular. Millions of dollars were spent (wasted) to make it opulent and stunning (at a time when many people in Britain are suffering financially, I might point out). They were very successful in their aim. So were Charles and Diana so many years ago. My question is, will this young couple do any better? They certainly had a poor example in his parents and ancestors, and they themselves got off to a very poor start.

In thinking on these things I “happened” upon this verse in my Bible reading and, as so often is the case, it crystallized my view and gave it the clarity that only God’s word can.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Paul was writing to the Corinthian Christians expressing his desire to see them pure spiritually. He used the imagery of Christ as the husband and the church as a chaste virgin whom he desired to see a virgin on the great wedding day. For me, this is where the rubber meets the road regarding the recent royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton.

Here is a young couple who have lived together on and off for years.  (Another link here.) They shared a flat (apartment) and later a cottage during university, went on vacations together, and then later lived together again for some months before the wedding. She was not a "chaste virgin" on their wedding day. Neither was he. These people were fornicators by God's standards, and unrepentant.  Had they decided not to get married after all that, the royal family would have looked the other way and not mentioned it. No doubt her family would have too.

He, at least has more than likely “played the field,” as this is common practice among the royal males and has been for a very long time. (I have done a fair amount of reading about the British royals. It is said that when Charles and Diana were in their pre-marriage state he told her that most of his "girlfriends" had been married women.) I have seen the “lovely Kate” in a photo where she was claimed to have been in the not so lovely state of intoxication. More than this there is the infamous (to me) photo of her in a see-through dress with matching underclothes which she modeled at a charity fashion show. It is said that this particular outfit was a key in drawing William’s serious attentions. This is nothing but raw lust.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 Yet, I find Bible believing Christians were eagerly participating in the celebration of their wedding through the internet and T.V.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man...

I’ve also heard of people saying that the wedding vows were supposedly God-honoring. I would remind you that they said the same vows that William’s parents did so many years ago, and that even as Charles stood and intoned them before God and man he was NOT “forsaking all other” and apparently had no intention of doing so. Whether William proves to be wiser and more restrained in this area remains to be seen. Certainly he should not be condemned for the sins of his father (2 Kings 14:6), but his massive family history of extra marital affairs and mistresses will be hard to buck since it’s considered perfectly acceptable as long as it’s “discreet.” (Some royals and aristocrats of jolly old England would have been hard put to even know who their father really is. Yes, it’s that bad.)

The best I can say under the circumstances is what my dad pointed out, and that is that possibly William saw the mistake and mess his dad made and has decided to marry the mistress rather than playing the usual royal marriage game (Catherine was a commoner). Granted, that's not saying much.

Why bring all this up? When I think of all the Christians who gave their unwitting, or witting approval to this wedding by watching it and rejoicing in it and reveling in it, I feel sort of sick about it. I realize a lot of people probably didn’t know the details which I made it my business to find out (or knew from the past). But, these things were not done in a corner. I feel that Christians need to better inform themselves about things like this where their testimony is involved. The royal affairs and sexual escapades, past and present, are no secret.  It has been well known and, in past eras, expected and accepted.

The royals in general do not seem to have changed their views on these matters, though the world tends to frown on the mistresses more than they did at one time. This I don’t entirely understand, except that people generally want to see couples, even royal ones, marry for love these days. A lot of people thought Charles and Diana did, but it is clear now that she was the only one who was possibly "in love." Charles’ “whatever love is” statement in the engagement interview is now infamous.

I think this is why the media made such a point of trying to prove that this royal couple are truly “in love." One example: According to the BBC: "The couple briefly held hands in the carriage as it passed through the gateway, but cameras caught the personal exchange — before the waving resumed." At the time I read this I wondered what in the world they were posting that for, but afterthought made me realize that they are desperate to convince the world, and themselves, that “this time it’s for real.” This is probably also why so many made such a point of praising them for living together prior to the wedding and “trying out living side by side” to “make sure it will work." Statistics are unfortunately against them. More couples who live together before they are married will end up divorced, than couples who stay apart till the wedding. Look it up. [Their pre-marital "cohabitating" may explain why William "looked bored" at the wedding in my dad's estimation. After all, there was nothing to look forward to. He'd already had everything there was to have.]

Consequently, I cringe that Christians have participated in this whole event with such a level of enjoyment and approval. Dear ones for Christ’s sake, it behooves us as the children of a righteous and holy God to separate ourselves from such worldliness. To give our approval to such as this and honor their wedding can give the impression to the world, which knows and approves their wicked ways, that we also approve, or at least will look the other way when it’s a "special person".

It reminds me of the passage in Romans:

Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness… 30 …despiteful, proud, boasters… 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection… 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[I’ve used the words here the seemed most fitting to the case in hand.]

Perhaps I am being too hard, but how many of you have run across people who wouldn’t take the righteous judgments of God seriously because they knew a Christian who justified the wicked? Think about that.

I know that for many women and girls the attraction was the “fairytale wedding.” It was all so glamorous and alluring. Many females were delighted with the opportunity to see all that "high fashion" and extremely expensive clothing on display. Yes, a fairytale "come true." Well, it was just that – a fairytale.  Fairytales are lies. There are no such things as fairies, anyway. The ones that do “exist” are devils dressed up pretty to deceive (2 Cor. 11:14). Hello? 

Also, "fairytale weddings" do not produce "fairytale marriages" as some are foolish enough to imagine. Charles and Diana proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

When the world puts on a big show like this one was and the masses of people are running madly after it, it is a cue to us to bow out. You can count on it – the  lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are going to be involved. If you think they weren’t in this particular instance you are gravely mistaken.

In Conclusion

Reminding you of what I said at the beginning about having been a "Diana worshipper" myself, I strongly encourage you to discourage your daughters from an interest in "royalty" as an object of admiration. Ultimately, I see royal watching as a form of covetousness, a wish that "that could be me." If you let your daughters watch the wedding and didn't voice your thoughts about the durability of the marriage, the frivolousness of the outward appearances,  and the things that really count in life it is not too late. You can bring the subject up with your girl(s) and discuss the things that you have maybe learned here. Talk about modesty of dress and spirit. If the girls are mature enough, discuss the fact that unmarried women should be chaste virgins, that living in fornication before marriage is contrary to the word of God. Tell them that fancy weddings don't make happy marriages. Teach them to see things as God sees them.

Was Catherine beautiful on her wedding day? From the world's point of view, yes. But from what I have read I would have to say that from God's point of view she was not. Lovely clothes do not make lovely brides. Lovely hearts make lovely brides.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Added to all this is the simple fact that for the child of God, a royal wedding like this is a cheap imitation. As the church of Jesus Christ (not "of Latter Day Saints"), and thus His bride, we are headed to a wedding that would silence and dismay this world, even at its grandest and most majestic moments. What they can come up with is pale and shabby by comparison!

Revelation 19:5-9 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Links:

Disclaimer: I do not have the time to investigate every site thoroughly. 
Please exercise discernment and examine with scripture.
Disclaimer on translations other than the King James Bible
 and possibly some content.

Was the Royal Wedding a Spirit-filled Event? - An interesting observation
of Kate Middleton during her wedding ceremony.

graphics and background by Mary E. Stephens
updated 2021; CA