Prince William of Wales will marry his longtime girlfriend Catherine Middleton on April 29 at Westminster Cathedral.  Devoted royalty-watchers await the day of ceremony and pomp---which the British do so well---with hopes for a joyful beginning to a happy marriage as this young couple enter a life of service to their country together.  In the last century, the public aspect of royal weddings evolved from marital unions designed to cement diplomatic relations to celebrations of national character and promotions of the countries’ most pleasant aspects. 

 Royal Weddings by Friederike Haedecke surveys fourteen royal weddings from around the world with beautiful photographs and details from the ceremonies and celebrations. For the romantic and the history buff---or the romantic history buff---this book offers an entertaining review of modern royal weddings. 

For an historical perspective on British royal unions, try Two Centuries of Royal Weddings by Christopher Warwick.  If you’d like to learn more about Prince William and his Kate, take a look at some of the following books.