Kate Middleton won't obey, follows in Diana's footsteps
Lucy Carne in London
April 23, 2011 12:00AM
KATE Middleton will copy Princess Diana and omit the word "obey" from her wedding vows.
The future Queen of England will instead promise to "love, comfort, honour and keep" Prince William.
Diana 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 his aunts Princess Anne, Sarah Ferguson and Sophie Wessex used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which requires brides to "love, cherish and obey".
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He said it was outdated and could be used to justify domestic violence.
Dr Williams revealed he had spoken to the couple advising them on the "courage and the clarity" they will need to live out their marriage "in the full glare" of the public eye.
He described them as "deeply unpretentious people" who were clear about what mattered about their wedding day.
"William and Catherine are making this commitment very much in the public eye and they're sensible, realistic young people," he said.
"They know what the cost of that might be. They've thought that through."
"They know what the cost of that might be. They've thought that through."
Referring to the broken marriages of Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne, Dr Williams said: "I hope they'll be given the strength and the persistence to go on showing the rest of us what's possible for the whole of their life together."
Clarence House refused to comment, saying any conversation between Dr Williams and the couple was private.
*women moving away from "to obey" = modern woman. Wedding vows (language) reflect the tradtionalist views of the pre-21st century era. Sexist language? Women obeying men?
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