It seems that the entire world had been gripped on April 29th by the Royal wedding fever to watch Prince William and the “commoner” of his heart tie the knot. It is estimated that 2.2 billion people around the world watched the wedding. The wedding seemed to have all the ingredients of a fairytale Palaces,carriages,you name it. All speculations about rain that day and Kate’s dress were quashed.
Reality check. Now that the glamorous event is over,papers started getting bored and attention shifted to more serious issues. In a Britain where shops are closing down,demonstrators are protesting the inflation of student fees,and an economy in recession;with a Europe financially weakened- a bailout from Greece and Ireland and Portugal and Spain coming in line next,how much can Britain take?
CBI reported that around that 6 billion pounds in productivity and overtime payments would be lost in the British economy because of the wedding. The loss would be destructive especially for small businesses. The economy is expected to make back about 1 billion of the losses with whatever gains are made from tourism and royal wedding memorabilia.
It appears that royal wedding always coincides with financial crisis. In 1947,when the war wrecked nation was still under recovering,Elizabeth and Philips wedding was criticized as too lavish. When Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer 30 years ago,the country was also in a recession.
And today history repeats itself with Prince William and Kate wedding recovering and the economy growing by only 0.5%,according to figures released Wednesday.
All the speculation and media attention surrounding the royal wedding has also sparked a debate on the significance of monarchy in Britain today. Some critics view the monarchy as an institution that burdens the British taxpayer,saying that money spent on royal lifestyle would be better if spent on public services.
Tristram Hunt,a member of parliament for Stoke on Trentsay told ABC “I don’t think they do enough to save their space and inheritance within Britain” and blames them for not thinking of British nation.
The official cost of the monarchy released annually by Buckingham Palace is 60 million a year. Monarchy critics though say it is more.
An article in one of Sweden’s biggest newspapers,DN,concerning the fresh Swedish royal wedding reported a drop of 46% of support monarchy after the wedding. The lowest record of all times;also,food for thought for those who want a serious debate about the monarchy and the future of Britain’s constitution.
Επιμέλεια:J.J.
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