The mind of a princess

In 1980, Sweden became the first European monarchy where boy or girl could inherit the kingdom from their father. Little brother Carl Philip was just 7 months old when his older sister Victoria became Crown Princess.

This girl has a mind of her own. Eight years ago Victoria fell in love with her physical trainer, commoner David Westling. She persevered with her choice, and this weekend they walked down the aisle of the Church of Sweden to be married. The country was in a furor: she asked her father to walk her down the aisle, reverting - according to critics - to an archaic Anglo-Saxon custom.

People were enraged that she was not following the Swedish tradition of bride and groom walking in equality together down the aisle. "Critics referred to the Anglo-Saxon practise as "sexist" and a "backlash for feminism", and the row, dubbed Altargate, started." The royal family argued that this was not just a man handing off an adult woman, but the King giving his approval to the heir (or in this case, heiress.)

(from the news:) "Nine bishops wrote a letter to the bridal couple, asking them to change their mind. Helle Klein, influential editorial writer for the tabloid Aftonbladet, urged the Archbishop to intervene. 'Bride handover builds on an attitude towards women which takes us several centuries back. As a role model the Crown Princess should consider this,' she wrote.

To no avail. What a princess wants, a princess gets. She gave in a bit, though. Instead of walking her all the way to the front, her dad handed her over halfway down the aisle. And the couple was wed. With her strong will and willingness to negotiate her special day, she may be a very good ruler in her time.

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*Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NEV

*I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV

*You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14 NIV