Keller @ Large: Royal Wedding Is About Love
BOSTON (CBS) - As the Royal Wedding approaches, the sounds and smells of backlash are in the air.
There is quite a bit of skeptical, negative tweeting going on.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
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One Globe columnist wrote the other day that he didn't give "a rat's whisker" about the wedding, which certainly seems harsh. And according to the web site style.com, even fashion world insiders are saying they don't give a rat's whisker either.
I understand the objections. Many of us, yours truly included, are not huge fans of monarchy, although it is a plus that the families of the bride and groom are paying for the wedding themselves and not sticking the beleaguered British taxpayer with the bill.
The commercialization of the event is total - from the official authorized commemorative biscuit tin to the unofficial unauthorized items that can't be described on a family web site.
And if you watched the last time they did this 30 years ago, you know that it is, shall we say, a slow-moving spectacle, with most of the excitement centered around the bride's ability to walk inside that cloud bank of a dress.
I get all that.
But while I begrudge no one their skepticism, may I remind you skeptics that at its core, this is the celebration of the marriage of two people who love each other.
Two billion people are expected to watch this wedding around the world, and I suspect most of them are drawn not to the pomp or the collectibles but by the power of love, and the appeal of watching it declared and affirmed in public.
Keep in mind, Kate Middleton is willingly giving up any chance at a normal life to marry William; for both of them, the relationship has withstood time, separation and the paparazzi.
Think of this wedding as a celebration of how love can empower people to face any challenge and overcome any obstacle.
So by all means, stay dry-eyed, and keep your distance if you must. But lets' not let all the hype obscure the true meaning of the event.
Love lives, even among British royalty. And we should all be grateful that it does.
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.
