She's Got The Look

Most of us Canadians, when we think of ‘The Queen’ we think of …

not…

But it is kind of funny to realize that there are a whole lotta other ‘Royals’ in the world. Did you know the country that is known as being the most progressive, modern, forward thinking country in the world is actually a monarchy? A constitutional monarchy.

Luckily, we Canadians can also relate to the inherent paradox of being a democratic unstratified society which is technically ruled by an undemocratic, hierarchical handful of people born with a divine birthright to rule.

Let me introduce you to the Swedish Royal Family. And when I say Swedish royalty, I don’t mean ABBA, or Dolph Lundgren.

There is mom and dad, King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia.

Then there is Crown Princess Victoria.

Her sister Princess Madeleine. (The Swedish royal family isn’t immune to scandal either. Princess Madeleine’s engagement recently ended after finding out her Fiance had a one night stand with a Norwegian handball star. Yes, apparently ‘handball’ can have stars.)

And last of the Royal children is Orlando Bloom. I mean, Prince Carl Philip.

In Sweden, the royal family has been in the spotlight lately because yesterday was the royal wedding of the Crown Princess Victoria, who was marrying a commoner, her former gym trainer, Daniel Westling.

Much of Sweden has been looking forward to the royal wedding for at least a year now with major preparations going into the wedding so that there were ‘official’ chocolates, candies, napkins, coffee beans of the royal wedding. The actual event was covered for about 4 days on the Swedish TV (SVT) channels.

A royal wedding is a very special thing.

Where else would you see Roxette reunite to perform “The Look” for a televised wedding rehersal dinner?

Since it was pouring rain all day long yesterday, we spent our afternoon flipping between one set of very happy royals celebrating, and a second set of royals with not too much to celebrate.