Maui Wedding Photographer

The Royal Wedding Of William And Kate; A Fairytale Come True

The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate was a wedding for the ages, as this wedding brought more meaning to the public at a time of need than one could imagine. So how did this commoner woman and this royal man come together and unite to become the future king and queen of England? It’s all about fate.

Kate met William at the University of St. Andrews, a seaside town in Scotland where they shared a student house. At that time in 2002, William attended a charity fashion show where he paid a reported 200 pounds to sit in the front row. This is where many people believed was the beginning of their dating relationship.

Kate is not from a royal line, but rather a wealthy commoner. She is the daughter of self-made millionaires, Michael and Carole, as they started a mail-order business for children’s parties in southern England. Kate was with William upon his graduation in 2006 from the Sadhurst Military College. It was at this time when he was commissioned as a British army officer. William graduated in 2008 from his first flying course and then was later deployed for two months with the Royal Navy. He then began training for a sea king-and-rescue pilot working for the Royal Air Force.

Prince William, and now long time girlfriend Kate Middleton, got engaged in Kenya during a holiday visit. He gave Kate his mother’s ring, which was an oval shaped blue sapphire with diamonds all around from the jeweler Garrard. In using his mother’s ring, it was his way of making sure that his mother did not miss out on the special day. Everyone was ecstatic about the news of their engagement and believed that she will be able to combine both the charm and beauty of Diana with more of a practical way of life.

Fearful of a potential repeat of his own mother’s death due to the hounds of media, Prince William requested for her privacy to the media. With everything in the economy appearing as a negative, many were excited about a royal wedding taking place and giving the people of England, if not the world, something to look forward to. After all it had been 30 years since the last fairytale royal wedding.

Prince William and Kate Middleton were married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey. As it turned out, it was one of the largest and most watched events of this decade. An estimated 2.5 billion people world-wide watched this spectacular procession and ceremony. Kate arrived by car to Westminster Abbey and when she exited, her stunning dress was finally seen in its entire splendor. She was wearing a white and ivory lace wedding dress that was created by Alexander McQueen. It included long sleeves, two-meter train and a delicate lace-trimmed veil, that went down to just past her waist. It went with the beautiful Cartier diamond tiara that Queen Elizabeth II let her borrow (that must have been her something borrowed).

The Prince was wearing a military uniform in crimson that had a striking blue sash and was decorated with various medals. He arrived in style with a plum colored Bentley along with his brother, who served as his best man.

The Anglican ceremony was lead by the Rev. Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury. As the ceremony commenced, it was marked by a few traditional British hymns, sung by the choir, as well as readings from the bible by Kate’s brother, James, before exchanging their vows.

There were about 1,900 wedding guests, which included such celebrities as Elton John, along with David and Victoria Beckham. In addition, heads of states and other royalty were also in attendance. After saying their vows they officially became man and wife, which also included the reception of their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The roar of the crowd outside the ceremony could be heard for miles. There were hundreds of thousands of people waiting along the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

About an hour after Prince William and Kate left the Westminster Abbey, the newlywed couple came out on to the balcony of the Buckingham Palace where a large crowd of people were waiting to see them. Those in attendance got the chance for a glimpse of the couple’s first kiss as a married couple. William gave his new bride a little peck, but at the chants of the roaring crowd, he then gave her another one to their delight.

The Destitute Elderly: A Photo Essay by Dan Giannopoulos

 

/Photography News/ Founded by Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Briddhashram Home for the Elderly sits on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Presently It houses approximately 240 elderly and infirm residents. These residents suffer from many illnesses and afflictions associated with old age. Amongst them reduced mobility, blindness and severe mental deterioration.

There are presently only 9 care givers at the facility. And it relies heavily on Charitable donations.

Years of major political turmoil in Nepal has led to the virtual collapse of any reliable health care system, paired with Nepali’s deep rooted traditions and religious beliefs especially in rural areas, meaning that there is a poor-to-non existent understanding of mental illnesses associated with old age such as Dementia and Alzheimers. Thus, unable to firstly understand and secondly to treat and deal with the complexities of their older relative’s illnesses, families often abandon these elders, who are then left to fend for themselves on the streets.

If they are fortunate they may find refuge at Briddashram Home for the Elderly. A place which by the standards of the developed world  is unhygienic, heavily understaffed and painfully short in medical supplies for treatment and alleviation of even the most basic of ailments. But for Nepal, being of the worlds poorest countries overcoming the legacy of a 10-year Maoist insurrection, this is the best possible treatment for individuals who, through Nepal’s poor health education and  ingrained religious and cultural beliefs on physical and mental deterioration, would live a squalid and painful life on the streets.

Residents of the home sit in the main courtyard. The age range of residents is from mid 60′s to late 90s.

Two female residents with reduced mobility pass in a communal area. Due to poor Nepal’s poor healthcare system  and lack of funds at the home many residents have to cope without treatment for various afflictions.

A male resident sits with his walking stick in the main courtyard many of the resident’s belongings and medical supplies are sourced from charitable donations.

A heavily disabled, elderly non resident lays begging in the street outside the home. Stipulations of entry to the home include proof that the individuals are over 65 and are verified to be orphaned, and have no one to care for them.

A male resident lays on the floor covered in flies in his own waste in a communal area. There are only 9 care givers at the facility. This shortage in staff means that some of the more dependant residents needs may often go unattended.

A male resident with a painful bladder infection. Antibiotics are readily available from medical supply shops in Kathmandu, but due to lack of funding and staff shortages easily treatable infections and illnesses are left to grow into bigger problems.

A half naked female resident with chronic back problems waits for a fellow resident to give her a back massage.

A male resident listens to Nepali music on a radio sourced from a charitable donation.

A male resident sits in the Laundry area of the home where possible residents are encouraged to do their own washing. They are provided with new clothing 2 times a year.

A female resident with signs of severe mental illness lays on the floor of a communal area. In  poor understanding of deterioration of  mental conditions associated with old age often means that such conditions go undiagnosed and, as such, poorly treated.

About the photographer:

Dan Giannopoulos is a London based travel and documentary photographer focusing on social and political issues. Holding a first class Honours degree in Photojournalism from The London College of Communication, he work on general news stories as well as long term personal projects. Dan’s work has been regularly Featured in ‘The Guardian’ and ‘The Observer’ newspapers and he has been published by MSN, Time, The Sunday Times Magazine, Photography Monthly, and ‘Rock Sound amongst others. His work can be seen at www.aletheiaphotos.com and www.gianphotography.com.