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Should Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited the Obamas to the royal wedding?
Results so far:
| Yes | 41% | 761 votes | Total: 1871 votes | |
| No | 59% | 1110 votes |
Yes
by B. B. James
Created on: January 06, 2011 Last Updated: January 08, 2011
Of course Prince William and Kate Middleton should have invited the Obama family to the royal wedding in 2011. It would be hard to think of a reason why the Obamas should not be invited. Frankly, the more interesting question is whether the Obamas should attend, or which members of the family should attend.
Let's consider the possible reasons why the Obamas would not be invited, and then we can shoot them down individually.
1. Privacy. Prince William's wedding is not going to be a private ceremony. It will be a public and a political event - that's the nature of being a prince. Even if the prince asked for privacy, it won't be related the ceremony itself, but rather paparazzi following the honeymooners around the globe after the wedding. The wedding and many of the activities surrounding it will be televised, so it can hardly be called a private affair in any way.
2. Politics. The U.S. and England are allies and friends. There is no political reason to not invite the Obamas. In fact, a wedding is an easier diplomatic outreach than a summit at which something is on the agenda. This is "just" a wedding. And if Obama can make some contacts with British political leaders, that's so much the better.
3. Security. The Obamas will need massive security. But doesn't the prince and the royal family already require a similar level of security? It's hard to imagine that having the Obamas at the event will make it a more enticing target for terrorists. Already, it will be the headline event of the year.
4. Religion. Although a few fanatics in the US insist that President Obama is a secret Moslem, it's a ludicrous assertion. And even if it was true, there's no reason why someone of another faith (or no religious faith) wouldn't be invited to a wedding. Undoubtedly, there will be in attendance selected, high-profile members of the Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic faiths, invited precisely because they represent their people.
5. Focus. Will the presence of the Obamas detract from William and Kate? Are the soon-to-be-married couple afraid of sharing the spotlight? Again, this is hard to believe, as they will be the focus of the world's attention for a week or more.
6. Personal dislike. Obama and the prince have never met. It doesn't seem that they could have developed a personal dislike. Who knows if they even oppose each other on policies, whether military, environmental, economic, or whatever. It is a non-issue at this point. And William isn't much of a political figure anyway. That's not his role. Clearly, there's no personal reason for the men (or the women) to avoid each other.
7. Racism. Hey, it's the 21st century. The U.S. has an African-American president. Get over it.
In conclusion, it's a no-brainer for the Obamas to be invited to the royal wedding. I look forward to them being invited and attending what will surely be a memorable event.
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No
by Mark Hopkins
Created on: January 05, 2011 Last Updated: January 06, 2011
Since the announcement that Prince William and his long time girl-friend Kate Middleton are to marry on Friday, April 29th 2011, it has become clear that their wedding will be much more than a small, private, affair. The government has announced that the day will be celebrated as a public holiday in the UK. The happy couple have booked Westminster Abbey, no less, for the ceremony. It is going to be BIG, but not overly extravagent, given the austerity of the times.
Interest in the event is likely to be massive, world wide, and not least in the USA where fascination with British Royalty seems amazingly strong despite the unfortunate tiff of 1776. The groom is not only second in line to the Throne but handsome, and something of an action-man, having recently completed training as an Air Force helicopter search and rescue pilot. The bride looks like a Princess should, even before she officially becomes one.
Despite the world wide interest, the event is principally about Kate and William, then their families and friends, then the wider UK community and those Commonwealth countries in which William is also second in line as King, such as Canada and New Zealand. It is likely that dignitaries from such countries will be at the wedding, but it would be anomalous for the President of the United States to be among them. Representation at Ambassadorial level would seem to be more in keeping with protocol.
There would certainly be no suggestion at all of any 'snub' if the President and Mrs Obama were not invited. Despite the strong connections between the USA and the UK, there have been no formal links since the War of Independence/Revolut ion. The USA is a foreign country, just as are France and the Irish Republic, the nearest neighbours of the UK, and no one would expect the French or Irish Presidents to be invited.
Security surrounding the wedding will be extremely tight, and the requirements of dealing with so high profile a guest as the American President would only add to the security demands. Of necessity, the President travels with his own small army of security personnel who like to have everything done their way, and reconciling this with the other security demands and UK personnel would risk unbalancing the entire event.
Hopefuly, the President will find time to watch the event on TV with his family in the White House. His Ambassador in London may be able to sneak a piece of the wedding cake to give to them later. Alternatively, he could always announce that he is going on holiday for a week or two and travel incognito to London. American visitors are always very welcome. There will be plenty of room in the Mall or outside the Abbey on the big day!
Let's hope for a sunny day!
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