Royal event gets mixed reception
well. It’s very much fantasy fulfilment, the princess and the prince.
“It ticks a lot of boxes, people get to live vicariously for this ridiculously lavish life just for one day.”
Ms Meharg added: “It breaks up peoples’ lives of monotony.
“Meghan Markle is definitely a progressive influence. When you think back years ago and Princess Margaret wasn’t allowed to marry the man she loved because he was a divorcee. The royal family were so stiff but when Diana and Fergie came along it broke that mould. But why not.”
Ben added: “You have to be careful though in reading into what the royal family are up to as some sort of milestone in liberal thinking. We should be paying attention to what really matters on the ground.”
Belfast Royal Academy students Robin McKay and Mark Brunka, both aged 16, had mixed views.
“I wasn’t aware of it,” said Mark. “I don’t watch much television, the Royals don’t drive me crazy.”
Robin disagreed saying: “It’s cute, I don’t pay loads of attention to it but I probably will watch a bit of it at home. It’s sad though that her dad can’t make it, a lot of people would be very upset in that situation.
“Meghan Markle is a bit different for the royal family and it is really nice to see that. It was the same when Prince William married Kate Middleton. People questioned it because she wasn’t from high society, but it’s really nice to have some change.”