London – An elegant, tiara-bedecked Kate Middleton swept down the aisle to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey as fans packed the streets of London on Friday, hoping to snatch a glimpse of a historic royal wedding expected to revitalize the British monarchy.
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As the future king and queen of England began their lives as husband and wife with the simple words “I will,” some 2 billion people across the globe were believed to have tuned in. The couple looked nervous but happy and recited their vows without stumbling before Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
A million well-wishers — as well as some protesters — flooded into central London, around Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and other landmarks. Crowds were up at dawn waving flags for television cameras under steely gray skies and cool temperatures. Cheers erupted as huge television screens began broadcasting at Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park.
The celebration was British to the core, from the freshly polished horse-drawn carriages to the lager served at street parties.
The public festivities reflected Britons’ continuing fascination with the royal family, which despite its foibles remains a powerful symbol of unity and pride.
A number of famous people were left off the guest list, including President Barack Obama and Britain’s last two prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown of the Labour Party, which is not as strong a backer of the monarchy as the ruling Conservatives. That snub might resonate for years among Labour voters.
Such Shtussim!
These so called celebrity marriages never last anyway. It is false from top to bottom. I can’t understand why people waste precious time to gossip and talk about this.
Wishing prince William and dutches Kate a varme mazal tov!
I watched it on the internet it was breathtaking!
Live on Walla in Israel!
I saw the ceremony in Westminster and can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a large number of frock coats in one room.
To No. 1- At this time, when there is so much bad news in the world, we can still witness a joyful event for not only the Royal family, but for the entire British nation; yet, you have the chutzpah to write a nasty comment on this site, about the wedding! Shame on you!!
The talmud says : one should always run to see gentile monarchy, because if he merits he will then distinguish between Jewish and Gentile kings
No shmorg. Still less expensive than a Jewish wedding with vort and shrva brochos
Idiot!!!!!!!!! He is a ben melech who will one day be a melech!!!!!! You will have to make a bracha when you see him, should you be so fortunate as to see him. Fool! Naar!
To make a bracha on the king of England, as thru have no ruling power: it’s purely ceremonial.
And even if one would make a bracha, what does prove?
You make a bracha after going to the bathroom, does that impart some holiness to your bodily wastes.
and if you know so much about the world, then you surely know the anti-Semitic and immoral track record of the British monarchy. I’m less than impressed. Any bakovodik heimishe wedding holds more thrills for me.
APTN sub-editors please note:
Prince William’s new wife’s title is the DUCHESS of Cambridge, and not “Dutchess”, which is a county to the north of New York state!
Repeating the same mistake four times in a row is just plain stupid.
Since my invitation obviously got lost in the post (I’m a British citizen living in NY) I woke up at 4 am to watch online. I loved all the grandeur & elegance! I saw the Chief Rabbi, he seemed less than happy to be there during this very religious service. Maybe his wife wanted him to pick up the meat for the cholent on the way home.
All you nay-sayers, stop complaining. Don’t you get it? When a country is in a recession there’s nothing like a nice, NEW war or a fabulous wedding to unite the peasants. Britain had the wedding: what will the US do, I wonder???
The shidduch of the century! Common folks now royalty. They look as if they will last. If only we could make more of our shidduchim like this. I enjoyed every minute of it.
to #2 :
Come to Lubavitch World HQ on Rosh Hashana to see many more “frock coats” in one room!!!!
The chazal say that a “melech” of the goyim must be accorded the same kavod a “melech yisroel”. The royal family of England and the House of Windsor have been great friends of the yiddeshe community in England and of EY. They deserve the kavod.
To #16 - Regarding your statement that you saw the Chief Rabbi during the religious service (at Westminster Abbey), isn’t there a prohibition against observant Yidden attending a gentile religious service? Can anyone please clarify this matter?
Torah would indicate that our people are served by interests in the world around us.
You’re right about the Gemara.
But the point of the Gemara is that we should distinguish between their type of rulership and ours.
And nowadays, even though were not zocheh yet to a king, it’s easy to distinguish and to see the emptiness of the British monarchy.
The brides Mother’s maiden name is Goldsmith….