By John Dyer, Guest Contributor
(John Dyer is an American dual citizen who relocated permanently to the UK in retirement from public life in the US. )
Today is 29 April, 2011, the day of The Wedding. What? There is another one? The wedding of William and Kate Wales, of course.
So, who cares? Prior to the Wedding BBC estimated that as many as 2 billion people would watch the Wedding on TV. 24 million watched in the UK alone, 18 million watching BBC. According to BBC 80% of the United Kingdom supports the monarchy. There have been block parties across the country as people celebrated. And they celebrated not just because it was a “Bank Holiday.”
The percentages are probably less supportive where I live in the North West of the UK.
Lots of comments whispered about to the effect of “irrelevant rich people.” But the speakers kept looking around for rotten eggs and tomatoes.
North/South Divide
There are reasons for that. There is a “divide” between the North and the South, with the North generally feeling economically, socially, and politically the poor relations of the South, especially “The City” (London). The swinge-ing “austerity” measures of the current government are hitting the North West harder than the South East, for sure. (Photo left of The City by PHKushlis, 8-2010; photo right of Lytham Centre by John Dyer, St George Day Festival 2011)
This past year has seen riots, anarchists smashing windows of “High Street” retailers, kicking Prince Charles’ car. 
If the first obligation of a government is social stability the current Coalition is failing. 5 May will see an election where it is generally believed the voters will register their collective dismay. (Note juxtaposition of the regal pageantry on the street in photo to right and headline on BBC ticker below it which reads in part "Bristol between police and protestors. . . " Ed.)
But today and increasingly for the 10 days prior, all that began to recede into the warm fuzzy fog of a jubilant nation celebrating that unique character and national identity- Britishness- even if their names happened to be Singh or Murti. Today was the nation’s day as well as the Crown’s.
The Prime Minister may have breathed a sigh of relief, but no doubt any relief is temporary. The swinge-ing cuts are not going away and neither is reaction to them. But today the key question was, who designed Kate’s dress. Ecstatic crowds waved the UK “Union Jack.” I don’t think I have ever heard a crowd who more exhibited a “roar.” There were a million people on the streets watching in person.
One more cultural tour de force
I watched in fascination. I moved to the UK in June, 2010 in search of my roots (and to join a partner). For me it was one more cultural tour de force, swept into the accumulating experiences of Proms, Lancaster Castle, St. George’s Day, the English Winter, and the gorgeous English Spring and Summer. I have always been interested in cultural anthropology. Think if we could have watched the crowning of Tut on BBC! I felt like Jane Goodall, capturing on my camera the last days of an endangered species. (Photo right of Lytham, St. George Day Festival 2011 by John Dyer)
Royal Future Up for Grabs
There is no question the future of the Royals is up for grabs. Although 80% of the British public may support the monarchy, I hear a lot of “republican” overtones, especially in an ear of austerity. The overhead of Royalty is pretty high.
Liberal Democrats have proposed changing the law of Royal Succession. Since James I the first born MALE heir takes the Crown and female heirs only if there is no male heir. The Liberal Democrats propose to change that to first born, regardless of gender.
Conspiracy buffs do not have to look far on this one. Charles is not popular, especially among politicians. He is reputedly something of a throw back to pre enlightenment philosophy. He is a mystic who talks to his flowers and advocates homeopathy and aromatherapy.
Diana Spencer, it was said by many, was more British Royalty than Charles, a throwback to resentment over his family’s origins. Many would love to see him step aside in favour of William. There has been "talk" in the media about Charles stepping aside, but if he were to do so by abdication it would raise an interesting question concerning his sister, Ann. Ann is considered “a safe pair of hands” in her mother’s mold.
Palace Coup in Motion?
Is there a palace coup in motion? There have been days this past two weeks when it certainly seemed like factions within the Royal family were negotiating with each other in public.
As I write, the authoritative David Starkey is busily saying that this wedding did not do anything to end the questions raised this past two weeks as to the future of the Monarchy. He is very critical. Very bitter criticisms raising the turmoil across the country due to the Coalition’s draconian public service cuts and efforts to radically change the National Health Service and Education.
But for me I wonder. Isn’t this after all rather typically hypercritical commentary from an academic? Or is it? I think this wedding has done something important. It has- even if for only 24 hours- brought some joy at being a part of the United Kingdom back to the British. And the media is making dead sure we get the message.
That has to be seen as a success in of itself. The monarchy, like St. George and the hymn "Jerusalem," embody continuity and the nation coming together in belief in the nation's ability to rebound and persevere. 
When the public waves the flag and sings "God Save the Queen" the public feels a coming together. This symbolism is the monarchy's one remaining function. For over a century that function has been discharged most successfully in Royal Weddings. Despite all the rockiness of this particular Royal Family, this Wedding accomplished that. That is success.