Kate Middleton has shown that she will not be just another royal drone, after the future Queen of England said she would omit the word “obey” from her wedding vows on April 29 and will promise to “love, comfort, honour and keep” Prince William instead.
Princess Diana (William’s mom) was the first royal to refuse to “obey” when she married Prince Charles in 1981 at the age of 20.
William’s grandmother, the Queen, and aunts Princess Anne, Sarah Ferguson and Sophie Wessex used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which requires brides to “love, cherish and obey”.
The Herald Sun reported that Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who will marry William and Kate at Westminster Abbey on Friday, said he does not support the use of “obey” in wedding vows.
He said it was outdated and could be used to justify domestic violence.
Kate Middleton won’t obey: The Herald Sun
Dr Williams described the couple as “deeply unpretentious people” who were clear about what mattered about their wedding day.
Clarence House (where Wills and Kate will live soon after their wedding) refused to comment, saying any conversation between Dr Williams and the couple was private.