Perhaps because we have no royalty, Americans especially are fascinated by the pageantry and fairy-tale romance of British weddings. Few events capture the worlds heart and imagination like a British royal wedding. In 1981, we were enchanted as Prince Charles wed lovely Lady Di, generating worldwide attention and massive sales of wedding-related products. As the young managing editor of a photo-news agency, Cohen directed a team of five photojournalists who covered the wedding for several major news magazines. Through more than two hundred spectacular photographs (including 80 pages of their wedding alone), William & Catherine recounts the couples wildly different childhoods, their romance and engagement, the events leading up to the wedding, and the grand affair itself--watched by over two billion worldwide. Here are the massive crowds lining the parade route, the sparkling celebrities at Westminster Abbey, the brides spectacular gown, “The Kisses” on Buckingham Palaces balcony, and the worldwide celebrations. Also included is a brief pictorial history of British royal weddings from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 to Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981. Including a brief history of British royal weddings, fascinating detailed captions, and a foreword by renowned royal watcher Robert Jobson, author of William & Kate, The Love Story and royal correspondent for four major British newspapers, this book magnificently illustrates the pomp, the pageantry, the history and enchantment of the romance that charmed the world.

本書は、現代の神話がいかに紡がれるかを写し出した一冊です。著者のコーエンは、二億人が注視した祝祭の裏にある人間ドラマを、二百点以上の写真を通して克明に描き出しました。煌びやかな儀式の奥に潜む、異なる背景を持つ二人の成長と愛の軌跡は、まるで壮大な大河小説のような重厚な叙事詩的魅力を放っています。 ヴィクトリア女王から続く歴史の系譜を紐解くことで、本作は一組のカップルの歩みを単なる記録に留めず「歴史」へと昇華させています。華やかな装束が象徴する王室の伝統と、現代を生きる個人の情熱が交錯する瞬間を読み解くとき、読者は時を超えて受け継がれる高貴な精神に心を揺さぶられるはずです。一瞬の光景を永遠に刻んだ、美しき記録文学の傑作です。