Canadians are taking an increasingly dim view of the institution of marriage so it’s hard to believe many are enthralled with the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
While the media may be gushing about the finances and fixtures of Saturday’s big event, it’s unlikely the same number of Canadian viewers will stay up to watch the wedding take place at St. George’s Chapel tomorrow.
But perhaps royal fervour will trump attitudes towards marriage, in which more Canadians shrug their shoulders at the tradition of legally marrying (i.e. exchanging vows in a public ceremony, whether civil or religious). In fact, as many as 53% of Canadians think if two people plan to spend the rest of their lives together, an official wedding is not that important.
Meanwhile, Canuck attitudes towards the Royal Family appear lukewarm at best, with only 45% against distancing the nation from the monarchy in a 2015 poll.
On the other hand, a fairytale wedding between a prince and a commoner, albeit a beautiful, famous actress, may be just the tonic Canadians need as they deal with high housing costs, concerns about daycare, the ongoing opioid crisis and other issues.
