More on Camilla and Charles

I was in England as a student in the summer of 1981 when the whole world was gaga over Diana and Charles and the royal wedding. In fact, I came out of Victoria Station just in time to see, from the blockaded street side, a black limosine pass carrying the Queen, Charles and Diana herself, on their way to meet up with Saudi royalty. The streets were crawling with people trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful new princess to be and I couldn't stop talking about having seen royalty!

Fast forward 24 years (yikes!) and here we face the marriage of Charles and Camilla. Why is it I can't summon even a shred of interest? Why does it seem so tawdry and cheap? Why do I feel as if it's the end of an era? Because it is.

England's people seem to be endorsing the marriage in huge numbers, saying, "It's about time", and "What took you so long?". The Anglican Church and it's stand on divorce and the sancity of marriage has been overwhelmed by the desires of a prince who will someday wield nothing but ceremonial power. But the Church, pressured no doubt by high ranking officials, is laying low on this and by their silence is sending out a shout that marriage is nothing when faced with power, money and the will of important people.

I remember my innocent delight in the "fairytale" marriage that was doomed from the beginning. I remember setting my alarm to get up and watch the pageantry and ceremony that bound Charles to Diana. I remember her pregnancies and her babies and her pain and her search for a meaningful life amidst all of the glamour and wealth. When I think of all that, the upcoming marriage of C and C seems tacky and contrived. I wonder if it's possible to be happy together when, as a couple, they were responsible for someone else's abject unhappiness. I'm not sure if the Anglican Church will fully bless the union, but the bigger question is, will God?