Have you heard the news? There is a wedding set for Saturday, May 19th. This wedding is very important to British citizens. One of the country’s princes, Prince Harry, is set to marry an American actress, Meghan Markle. Royal weddings give the United Kingdom a chance to show the world the splendor of their country.
The United Kingdom’s last royal wedding occurred in 2011, when Harry’s brother, Prince William, wed Catherine Middleton. The day was a huge celebration for the country. The royal family of the United Kingdom doesn’t use an official last name. They are so famous, they don’t need one! The United Kingdom views royals as very precious celebrities. Many people in the United States do as well. The wedding day of Harry to an American is shaping up to be a big event.
Who are royals, anyway? Royals come from a governmental system called a Monarchy or a Constitutional Monarchy. Monarchs are given titles such as king, queen, emperor, empress, sultan, or emir. By design, the United States doesn’t have any royals. Here in the United States, we have a democracy. That means that the only people in the government have been voted there. In a Monarchy, though, governmental figures are born into rule.
In some countries, like the United Kingdom and Japan, there are monarchs and elected government officials. The lead government official is often called a Prime Minister. Prime Ministers and Presidents have similar jobs. The Prime Minister and the monarchs might meet to discuss issues in the nation. In other countries, like North Korea and Saudi Arabia, the monarch is totally in charge.
No matter whether the royal is an active participant in running the government or not, they are viewed as important symbols of their country. They have many responsibilities such as meeting with heads of countries, doing charity work, attending events, and abiding by strict rules. In getting ready for their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have followed the royal rules, but have also made sure their special day reflects themselves.
What Do You Think? Are you excited for the Royal Wedding?
Photo Credit: Ian Jones/Alamy Stock Photo
