to think it's a bit archaic

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

On the news they have made a huge thing that William "sought the permission" of Kate's father to marry her! I mean WTF what century is this!! Is Kate not able to make her own decisions??? I know it's all symbolic but surely it's not the dark ages.

I wonder what would have happened if Mr Kate's dad said no. Unlikely to have happened, but would have been fun. [really dislike royal family]

They also had to seek the permission of The Queen - so it was the 'head' woman who had the final say!!

Totally archaic. Spoilt the announcement for me.

Though why I should be dancing around the kitchen with joy when I heard about the engagement is another AIBU thread I guess.

I know can you imagine the scene
Will "Can I marry your daughter Sir?"
Mr Middleton " Nah piss off you toffy nosed twat"

isn't it just a quaint tradition - like proposing on bended knee. Not really significant.

It's an old-fashioned courtesy... few dads say 'no'.

It is old fashioned but I wouldn't expect any different from the Royal Family - they are not really about being contemporary or breaking with tradition...

My DH asked my Dad. TBH I thought it was quite sweet and my dad was chuffed to bits. However, it was paying lip service really. If my dad had said no, I would have still married DH. But he wasn't really asking 'Can I marry your daughter', he was saying 'I want to marry your daughter and I would like to do it with your blessing'.

They are really good friends now and I think that my DH being 'respectful' back then, helped get them off to a good start.

My husband asked me first then went to check my dad was ok with it, my dad thought it was very respectful and thought my husband was lovely... so took him for a drink, the start of a beautiful relationship!

Yes old fashioned being the point. I really hope that when DS's get married (if they do) that the only 2 people involved in the process is them and their partner. Neither I nor my husband have the right to withhold permission for an adult to make an adult decision. My children are not my possessions.

I always thought it was more about blessing these days, my sister's DFiance asked my Dad for his blessing.

Oh on that point I bet DSis will be watching with interest as they are marrying in Aug next year, oh I hope she doesn't go all Bridezilla if it is the same day!

it's no different to the father 'giving the daughter away'

I would be pissed off if my DH asked my dad before proposing to me. The only person he should be asking is me. Ditto to 'giving away' - I'm not property. It's all very well saying 'it's just tradition' but 'tradition' has been used as an excuse to keep women as second class citizens for thousands of years

feminist rant over.

it's just formal palace press office speak. I doubt very much whether Wills actually asked Mr Middleton's permission to marry his daughter.

Well said Chateau

I bet he did badfairy

I think he probably DID actually ask (after he had proposed)- everyone I know did this - it's all part of the tradition / custom surrounding marriage isn't it?

Good lord - a father escorting his daughter down the aisle is hardly akin to women being denied the vote.

He may have had to ask his CO though, DH had to ask his for permisson beforw marrying me, all a bit strange (but then a lot of things military are!), we wondered if anyone had ever been refused permission.

Just about the rant I was about to have ChateauDeLaShite!!

I would be livid if my dp asked my dad before me, and tbh I think my dad would think it was bonkers and quite hillarious - and would probably say no just to play the fool :o

It's almost getting the blessing of the parents really I think. People will get married if they want but it is nice to ensure your parents are onboard with the idea!

A quaint tradition as stated earlier is a lovely way of saying it.

Is William marrying Kate? When? Where? Says who? How did I miss this?

Well then if he did it would only have been a courtesy ........I don't for one minute believe that Mr M's views really matter in all this. On the otherhand I am quite sure if the Queen had said no then that would have been that.

But "quaint" and "lovely" it may be but it harks back to a time when a woman was her fathers property until she became her husbands property and there's me thinking things had moved on a bit.

\link{http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11765422\olderandwider}

he proposed in Kenya on holiday last month apparently!

doesn't bother me - exH asked my dad's "permission" to marry me about 4 days before the wedding - when they met for the first time (was kind of a bit late to say "no" by that point given that my parents had only flown out for the wedding and everything was already booked )