Unholy Matrimony?

So the newswires yesterday lit up with the news Charles and Camilla are to get married in the not too distant future. Of course, all the talk is “is this right, they’re both divorced?!” and “should he be allowed to be head of the church of England if he does this?” and “what about when he’s King, would it be ok for her to be Queen?”

TV news was full of various “ordinary” people giving their opinions on various things. A number of them were the perfectly reasonable “yeah, well... whatever… he loves her.” But there were a number of “its not right” type comments too.

“What message” one newscaster asked, “does this send to the country about marriage?” IT doesn’t send any messages, simply reflects the reality of the modern world. We no longer need royalty to tell us what is right and wrong, but we shouldn’t expect them to live by rules we’ve no intention of living by ourselves.

To me, they’ve been together a long time. Their relationship has survived despite the efforts of press and populace (which, especially after the death of Diana, positively hated Camilla), so I think it’s great – even right – that they’re now getting married (after all – isn’t being unmarried partners like they currently are a greater sin in the eyes of tradition than marrying a divorcee? Personally I’ve got no problems with either, but some traditionalists do).

So congratulation to the happy couple. And all you complainers be quiet unless you’re prepared to live by the standards you’re setting them.