Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Royal wedding for Montrealer

PETER GRAFF

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 7:23 PM EDT 17/05/08

Queen Elizabeth's grandson weds Canadian Autumn Kelly, tabloids fume ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. C. Edwards from Canada writes: A royal got married without the whole affair being a media circus? How terrible....
  2. Alberta Marlowe from Halifax, Canada writes: Whoop-de-doo.
  3. Randal Oulton from Canada writes: >> Ms. Kelly, a graduate of McGill University, was raised a Roman Catholic, but converted to Protestantism before the wedding.

    Anglicanism is not Protestantism. It is a middle way.
  4. Ken DeLuca from Arnprior, Canada writes: Randal Oulton writes ' Anglicanism is not Protestantism. It is a middle way. ' Making a comparison to Roman Catholicism, I'd all Anglicanism almost as good as the high priced spread.

    Re paparazzi fuming, burn baby burn.. freedom of the press does not extend to freedom/ right to press your busybody noses up against the glass and peer ( no pun intended ) into the private lives of the royals. If they want to sell their 'news' that's their business.. you don't have a right to unfettered access to their saleable newsiness.
  5. Al B from Toronto, Canada writes: The fellow made his wife convert so he can have a chance at the throne. Haha. Nice.
  6. Jim Z from Canada writes: Chalk one up for the Royals.. To h--- with the tabolids
  7. JEANNE FARINE from Vancouver, Canada writes: Well done to the newly weds! And here are wishes for a long and fulfilling life together...As for the tabloids, well I doubt that they will receive much sympathy, and the nuptual pair have picked up a solid investment that did not cost the taxpayers a shilling!
  8. A C from Canada writes: Al B - It's possible she just didn't care which religion she belongs to. I'm supposedly a Catholic, but I'd be willing to convert to another Christian denomination if my significant other asked me to. Religion isn't a large part of my life and I don't go to church so why should I care? My she's the same way. Why ruin her husband's chance at becoming king if she doesn't have to?

    Don't judge without knowing the whole story.
  9. Al B from Toronto, Canada writes: 11th in line. And with the others having kids, the guy has no chance. But it's nice to be able to add he's in line to the British throne. EGO. EGO. EGO. Beside it's a dumb rule unworthy of a 21st century democracy. But then again the whole royalty thing is.
  10. LJ Brody from Canada writes: What kind of an idiot pretends to convert to appease their soon-to-be in-laws??? Isn't religious belief supposed to be genuine?

    I think converting to marry somebody ought to offend all involved. If the Royal family runs the Anglican church they sure aren't setting much of an example.
  11. Ken DeLuca from Arnprior, Canada writes: To LJ and the rest upset about a religious conversion and / or think it unseemly for the Royal family, please remember Henry VIII and his method of conversion and divorce. When he wanted to marry a beauty and sire a son by her, he had an entire nation convert.

    If you are offended or betrayed by Autumn Kelly switching from Catholic to Anglican, imagine how the disembowelled, drawn and quartered priests felt under James I, the king that gave us 'now-you-see-it-now-you-don't' religious tolerance.

    The less formal religion has to do with anything, the better.
  12. urban ranger from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'A beautiful Canadian marries an ugly Brit.' says a poster above.
    (Peter Phillips is a hunk and the poster needs his eyes examined.)

    However....the point is not what they look like, but that both of these young people seem to be well grounded in life and in love with each other. All best wishes to them!
  13. H B from Toronto, Canada writes: The Church of England is Catholicism without the Pope and the frills. It is a man-made religion created by a lunatic king, who in secrecy attended Catholic masses 'til the day he died. Kelly is not sacrificing any of her core beliefs since they are the same, still I wouldn't convert for anyone.
  14. Kevin McDougald from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Those who are familiar with the Canadian Constitution will tell you that Canada is technically a monarchy.

    But there is no requirement that Canada adhere to the United Kingdom's succession laws. These succession laws, which discriminate on the basis of religion and gender, would probably not withstand a court challenge if we had them in our statute books.

    Personally, my first preference would be to have Canada become a parliamentary republic along the lines of Finland or Iceland. But that's not politically viable right now.

    What, then, is stopping Parliament from enacting our own succession laws, with no bias on account of religion or gender? Or electing Peter Phillips as Elizabeth II's heir to the 'Canadian throne' by votes of the House of Commons and Senate, provided that he and Autumn Kelly-Phillips took up residence in Canada?
  15. karen orlandi from St Catharines, Canada writes: I am quite astonished at some of these remarks. She converted her religion - her choice. The same choice often made by many interfaith partners. Furthermore, I don't have any vitriol for them. I am well educated, and follow current affairs such as the cyclone and earthquake, but don't feel one bit of guilt in enjoying this story.

    They sound like a lovely couple. The entire family seems to be happy, and it appealed to an ancient princess fairy tale dream in me. I'm quite okay with that. I can be a business woman, concerned about the planet - and still just enjoy a royal wedding with all its finery and 'hoopla'

    Congrats to the couple and I hope their love is long lasting, and that their lives are fruitful. To all the dismal commentors, feel free to have at some of the politicians, or big banks, or warmongers... there are lots to go around.
  16. Peter Douglas from Canada writes: Glad that Dalton won't be welcomed...he could hang out with Blair!
  17. Jo Blo from Far enough from Toronto, Canada writes: Kevin McDougald from Winnipeg, Canada writes:

    'But there is no requirement that Canada adhere to the United Kingdom's succession laws.

    What, then, is stopping Parliament from enacting our own succession laws, with no bias on account of religion or gender? '

    Why do we have to have a British born monarch anyway. We could change the air a bit and hire one of the many pretenders to European thrones, such as George Frederick The Prince of Prussia. His lineage includes Frederick the Great. We then would not have to share our head of state with anybody else, while benefiting from the history of the House of Hohenzollern (a bit more depth than the House of Windsor). I think he's still related to the Queen, and he's 151th in the line of succession to the British throne, so he wouldn't be a total upstart. Then our very own king could spend most of his time in Canada instead of some foreign country. Maybe the Germans would get jealous of our new German king, and make us an offer so that they could get him back and restore the monarchy in Germany?
  18. urban ranger from Vancouver, Canada writes: Peter Douglas from Canada writes:' Glad that Dalton won't be welcomed...he could hang out with Blair! '

    ?????
  19. moksha guadeloupe from Sodom, Canada writes: Ha ha. Be a catholic until its becomes inconvenient. How far would have she gone? Scientology? Islam? Religious people are funny. Never let your integrity get in the way of success. Maybe she could buy some camels and needles with the money she got selling her wedding to 'Hello Canada'.
    Nietschze said choosing a religion because it is customary is lazy and dishonest. Nietschze thought laziness and dishonesty were the basis of our morals. I guess he was half right. But what do I know? I'm just jealous. At least I don't have to renounce any brand of atheism to be a gold-digger. I can pretend to subscribe to anything. I just wish I had a soul to sell.
  20. A Better Canada from no-quebec, Canada writes: Surprise McCain did not claim having the support of the British family?
  21. Some Guy from Ottawa, Canada writes: The protestantism referred to likely refers to King Henry XIII's version of protestantism and does not in any way represent the westernized sensationalized version of Jesus consumerism that is 'evangelicalism'. Describing it as a 'half way' religion or denomination undermines the historical and qualitative value of both Anglicanism and Catholicism.

    Further, her decision to 'convert' is more of a political manouever rather than condition of the heart and this should not be seen to be fickle or diminish her character in any way. Granted there are very signfiicant theological differences between the two camps and if she did transition her core beliefs it may be that they were not firmly held in the first place.
  22. Some Guy from Ottawa, Canada writes: Moksha - I'm surprised people still reference Nietszche as a source of advising and giving direction. The half-hearted loose pursuit of religion is what gives the appearance that people are 'good'. It's simply a political and social way of winning favour, especially if one is a public figure'. You should consider that those who pursue religion are not necessarily religious.
  23. Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: .

    Henry 8th just replaced the Pope with himself as head of the church in England.It was all politics.There was no doctrinal change,that came later after he was dead.Before the rift he had even written a criticism of Martin Luther in return for which he was given the title of Defender of the Faith by the Pope.

    The C of E still styles itself as the Catholic church.That's why Brits say Roman Catholic rather than Catholic when referring to adherents of Rome.
  24. D F from Canada writes: Congratulations, I hope it really is a fairy tale for them. Why not.
  25. james bell from Canada writes: a canadian is a now a member of the british royal family. i'm so proud. isn't it wonderful! this means so much to canada. the entire world came to a full stop. everywhere, in thousands of languages they all stopped to sing; 'o, canada' everything free to canadians! the 'royal' family! god's anointed. oh it is lovely beyond description!
    if only my words could turn into flowers and jewels and we could drop them on all the yodelling yokels who believe in all this bloody nonsense!
  26. Humphrey Pennyworth from Canada writes: I say, congratulations to the bride and groom and their families. I am sure the Queen is looking forward to having more beautiful great-grandchildren.
  27. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes:
    A private affair, I guess!
  28. Bob Beal from Edmonton, Canada writes: Kevin McDougald and Jo Blo: Actually, the Act of Settlement 1701 (which sets the succession rules) is part of the Canadian Constitution, as is the Statute of Westminster 1931 that confirmed it.

    This was unsuccessfully challenged in the Ontario courts a few years ago in O'Donohue v. Canada.

    There is nothing stopping Canada from establishing its own, homegrown head-of-state except the difficult matter of amending the Constitution.
  29. Kevin McDougald from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Bob Beal: Thanks very much for the information.

    I expect that eventually there will be pressure to change the succession.

    Since the British throne last changed hands in 1952, both Britain and the other countries that retain the British monarch as their titular head of state have become much more egalitarian and secular. Too egalitarian and too secular to continue indefinitely to support laws that explicitly favour one gender and one religion.

    Indeed, the Anglican faith which the British monarch nominally heads is at risk of becoming extinct within Canada by the 2060s based on demographics alone. Possibly sooner, due to internal warfare and financial strain.

    There are rumours swirling that William and girlfriend Kate Middleton will marry in the not-so-distant future. If they were to have a daughter first and a son second, the daughter would be required to yield to her younger brother in the line of succession. That would create a huge controversy in this day and age, and would open the way for modernization.
  30. South Paw from Montreal, Canada writes: Yawn.........even his first cousin Willy was at another wedding in Kenya.....

    Speaking of Kenya, Kenya believe she converted for number 11 in line?
  31. John H Moran from Canada writes: Please do not tell her Majesty that her grandson married a girl of Irish descent, that would be worse than marrying a Catholic.
  32. A. Greene from Canada writes: So many of these remarks are rediculous. She converted, as quoted in Hello, so that they could raise their children together. A family divided...etc...
    Why is that so hard to understand? It happened in my family. Why comment if you don't know or haven't heard it from them?

    How can people be so demeaning of marriage? It's a shame.

    Karen Orlandi - great comments.

    I love all these people who actual go to a news story and comment they don't care - if you don't care, don't read and don't comment.
  33. Brendan Caron from vancouver, Canada writes: A good Canadian story. Good luck and best wishes.
  34. bethany middleton from Canada writes: No, Dianne, that is not why they say Roman Catholic instead of Catholic. Catholic means 'universal' and it is clear that what we call the 'Catholic' church is not 'catholic' - it is Roman Catholic, and should be referred to as such.

    As for giving up her faith: she may have bee baptized into Catholicism and may have done her first communion etc, but may not have practiced it. There's no way of 'undoing' that in the church system. But if you choose to join another faith, you'll have to renounce the first, even if you weren't actually practicing it. I was raised lutheran, confirmed lutheran and practiced it for a while. I am now an atheist, but according to the church, would still be classified as lutheran because of a decision I made at the age of 14.

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top