I wonder if this costs-of-royalty-bashing really is a valid criticism. The Britsh royal circus serves as good-will ambassadors and secure not really few economic interests with foreign customers, also it lures many tourists especially to London. Also, I tend to rate Britain royal circus of callibre like on occasions like yesterday as an ingredient of its general cultural perfomance, a cultural acchievement if you want, like the music of a given composer, a new school of painting, architectural milestones, green tea ceremony in Japan and Peking Opera in China. British royalty celebrated during weddings and funerals is second to none in the world, and obviously it gives deep empotional satisfaction to many British and foreign people aliked, for whatver the reason is. Do not underestiumate the value of this. There must be more than just social wellfare and one portion of pommes frites free for everybody. There must be classical orchestras , museums, access to free education, even if economically it spoils the balance, or needs subsidies. We shall not leave all and everything just to economic profit interests. Because a civilization basing on purely materialistic values only, is a very poor civilisation. Also, especially the wedding done in such fantastic style like yesterday, appeals to some basic archetypes in man'S and woman'S soul, this is imo part of the explanation why it still is so attractive. The king in shing uniform, the princess in wedding white - what boy and what girl has not dreamed at least sometimes in his/her childhood to be like this? But as I said in the beginning, as economic interest ambassadors, the Royals also have a function which maybe piut the cost - the small costs - into relation. And when I see how our own elected parliament and government wastes tax moneys and embezzles public funds, then I wonder if the much smaller costs for the royal circus really count that much as those claiming it should be skipped for not being of benefit for the socially disadvantaged really are something that needs to be picked out. I can imagine much worse ways to waste public funds, and they all take place. Maybe we should tackle these first before reducing again a nation's culture and identity? Usually I am a very ratiuonal and cold-blooded Vulcan-type of guy. But I admit I love to surrender my head to my heart on events like two days ago. Yes, I was impressed by the show. VERY. Like I also was touched by the funeral of Diana. Is that rational?= No. Is that satsifying on an emotional level? Yes, very much so.
BTW, I noted that I got goose pimples when listening to that choir chorus they had, it was so very beautifully sounding. Was I the only one? I cannot imagine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl93WXJEVMQ