Haunted by the Duke of Västergötland

Yesterday, after what feels like a media frenzy that has lasted an eternity, the Swedish royal wedding took place. The marriage was notable as the princess chose to marry her former personal trainer.

The Swedish tabloid press have been relentless the last couple of weeks and it's seemed that every time I've seen a front page I've been greeted with the same picture of the now Prince Daniel: hair slicked back, curiously weedy, and wearing a pair of glasses that would put Clark Kent to shame. In every picture he appears almost frozen, his mouth fixed in a thin smile, his eyes scream "what have I got myself into", and his wardrobe looks like the aristocracy are trying to assimilate him. After all, who else other than the upper class wear a blazer with jeans? Well, at least they weren't red.

So now the circus has finally finished, I hope that I will get a few days respite. I've found it strange that in a country so committed to equality that the wedding took place without that much critical debate in the press. Although the King graciously announced he would foot half the bill (mainly for the reception), the Swedish tax payer still stumped up for the rest. This meant in excess of 80 million kronor spent on renovating the cathedral, hosting the international media and security for the event. The Swedish monarchy were stripped of any meaningful power back in 1970, and now they seem to operate largely as cheerleaders or boosters for Sweden.

Royalists have suggested that the wedding is / was great PR for Sweden, and it would boost both tourism and interest in Swedish brands. This however was debunked pretty quickly, there was plenty of empty hotel rooms in Stockholm over the weekend. They're also trying to spin the difference in social status between the couple of as an example of how in touch the Swedish monarchy are with the common person. Republicans have pointed out that marrying outside of the aristocracy was the only way to bring in some new blood into the line as rumour has it, the male side of the family aren't the sharpest tools in the box.

I can't help but suggest this: If public money was used to finance some other schmuck from Ocklebo's wedding wouldn't this be a gross misuse of public money and probably punishable with a custodial sentence?