The fuss surrounding the upcoming wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William is pretty outstanding. The American media, it seems, is obsessed with the royal wedding and has been for quite some time. For weeks we have been hearing about Kate's dress, her ring, the carriage they'll show up in and more.
Even more interesting is the commercial goods that have emerged as a result of the fuss behind the wedding. Dunkin Donuts, for example, has a commemorative doughnut available between April 24 and 29 in honor of the pair. GM is offering a Kate and Will refrigerator, complete with a photo of the couple on the doors of the refrigerator. Pez candy company has created dispensers that look like the couple. Papa John's is auctioning off a portrait pizza of the couple. And, my particular favorite is the "Knit your own Royal Wedding Kit" that is being sold in craft stores all over the country. Knit your own royal wedding?!---"Stitch together an entire royal party" is the catch phrase. I actually laughed. Is this so you can act the wedding out in your home with toys while you watch the live coverage of the affair?
I've spent a lot of time wondering what makes American media so obsessed with the royal wedding. It doesn't affect us much, yet I'd assume we're more interested than the British media. My guess is that because Kate is a 'normal' girl and not a celebrity people feel she is somewhat relatable. If Kate gets her fairy tale, we believe that we too can get ours. Are there perhaps other reasons we're so interested in the royal wedding?
What are you talking about? Of course I'll get my fairytale.... right?
ReplyDeleteHahaha I too fantasize about a prince charming coming to sweep me off my feet - every girl does!
But you're right about how all of those products are using the royal wedding to their advantage. Just another example of how the media promotes consumerist culture.