All roads to Windsor

Manama : The world turns today towards St George Chapel in Windsor, England, where one of the most anticipated weddings this year is beginning at 3pm (Bahrain time). Prince Harry, the sixth in the line of succession to the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle, almost six months after Kensington Palace announced their engagement.

The updates and preparations for the Royal Wedding have been extensively covered not only by the British media, but also news agencies across the world. Social media networks were too busy talking about the wedding. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram have been swarming with posts and updates related to the royal wedding for the past few months.

Additionally, the most discussed subjects on these sites recently were topics related to the wedding. However, the broad coverage was welcomed by many and it was criticised by some. Some are ecstatic about the event and are impatiently monitoring the different media platforms to learn the latest updates, while others consider it as an overly-promoted ordinary event. Tribune spoke to some of the people who were enthusiastic about the Royal event and also heard from those opposing the overhype accompanying the wedding.

Hanna, a UK citizen says she follows the updates of the wedding and that she is eagerly looking forward to the big event.
Hanna said, “I think it’s a joyful occasion. It has created a lively atmosphere here in London and I think everyone is looking forward to the event. The excitement isn’t only about the wedding ceremony, but I think everyone is also excited about the marriage itself and the dynamics of the Royal Family changing with this marriage, especially considering the breaking of the
traditional values of the British monarchy.”

“I myself will watch the highlights of the wedding, I usually am not as interested in similar events but I am looking forward to seeing what the ceremony will be like, as I am expecting there to be a difference between it and the more traditional Royal weddings,” Hanna added. Nahla Al Mahmood, a Bahraini wedding planner and a frequent traveller to the UK, said, “I would watch the wedding to observe the arrangements, organising and to be updated on the latest trends used in such events.

Watching such international events could be inspiring to people working in our field, as it’s important to see and benefit from ideas used and implemented in them.” On the other hand, British Citizen Hadis, told Tribune she wouldn’t bother watch the ceremony or follow its latest news or updates. She commented, “I wouldn’t watch the ceremony. I have never attended these kind of ceremonies. As a tax payer, I believe these sort of expenses are unnecessary. Also, I believe looking at Meghan’s background, she isn’t the right bride for the Royal Family.”

Special gathering

Senior operations manager at the British Club Bahrain Neil Maguire told Tribune that a special tent is set up within the premises of the club to receive around 400 members and guests who’re expected to watch the Royal Wedding today.

“We received a great response and expect a big crowd
today, especially that the wedding is followed by the 2018 Scottish Cup Final match. The tent has special British themes and decorations. It’s well celebrated by the British people and the club’s members and guests,” Maguire said.

He also told that some activities will be held on the sidelines of the gathering, including a best dress contest and a raffle draw, adding that guests will be charged BD5 entrance fees while members are granted free entry.

Social media role

Tribune also spoke to International Social Media Club (ISMC) Bahrain Chapter Chairman Ali Sabkar about the claimed overhype in social media over the wedding and its impact on the promotion of certain events.

Sabkar opined, “I believe it’s normal for this event to become the talk of the whole world and to become one of the first trends on the different social media networks. That’s because of several reasons. First, it’s a wedding, a happy event and it concerns an deep-rooted Royal Family.
This is one of the main reasons why it’s one of the top news reported by the media and social media.”

“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are celebrities now and their wedding is an unusual marriage, because he descends from a royal family and she doesn’t. People are interested to learn the updates of this bonding,” Sabkar commented. He added, “Social media play a strong role in the promotion of such events. People, especially the youth, are fed-up of conflicts, war and sad news. They look for happier news and love to interact and share their ideas about them, using the social media. The fundament of social media networks is the youth and such news grabs their attention and interest. People talk more about a certain information nowadays because it’s available, thanks to the social media networks and the advanced technologies. Unlike how situations were ten years ago, people can find quick updates about certain events online.”

History says so
1. Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra March 10, 1836
2. Princess Helena and Prince Christian July 5, 1866
3. Princess Louis and Marquise of Lorne March 21, 1871
4. Prince Arthur and Princess Louis Margaret March 13, 1879
5. Princess Frederica and Luitbert von Pawel Rammingen March 24, 1880
6. Prince Leopold and Princess Helena April 27, 1882
7. Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert July 6, 1891
8. Princess Alice and Prince Alexander February 10, 1904
9. Princess Margaret and Prince Gustaf June 15, 1905
10. Prince Edward and Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones June 19, 1999
11. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle May 19, 2018 (Today)
12. Princess Beatrice and Jack Brooksbank October, 2018 (Engaged on January 22, 2018)