(edit title) Dismay after Victoria asks to be given away Options

[The Local]

A split has opened up between the Church of Sweden and the royal family over Crown Princess Victoria's wish to be 'given away' by her father, King Carl Gustaf, at her marriage to Daniel Westling next month.

In Swedish tradition, the bride and groom walk down the aisle together, but Victoria plans to follow the Anglo-Saxon tradition of walking down the aisle with her father at her side. The church, which views the practice as a foreign anachronism with sexist overtones, fears Victoria's decision will lead to an unwelcome new trend.

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[EtoileBrilliant]

The Archbishop Anders Wejryd should keep mum and be thankful of all those tax payers krones he receives from non-believers. Where 72% of the country are taxed as church goers but only 5% are regular attendees, he ought to take note of who is paying the piper.
In any other country he would rely on the collection plate.

[Katz]

When she becomes Queen it will be a sad day because her father would have passed away. I am sure that she is honoring her father in the best way she can. And probably even appreciating all the time she has with him. Plus he is helping to pay for the wedding for god sakes.
C'mon people. Sweden is like America its been made up of foreigners for a very long time. If we want to argue about traditions then why don't Swedes eat pancakes with lingon/cranberries anymore? Swedish Americans from Minnesota do!
I don't think its sexist at all. But what does a girl like me do if her father has passed away? Maybe ask a family member.
I am happy she has adopted a very "American" tradition. More power to her!
I wish her all the best.

[Thrombo]

I find it hard to understand why it should be viewed a sexist because this girl wants her father to give her away, It is her wedding, she may be a princess but she is also a person.

[teslar]

I agree with Thrombo. "Sexist" seems to have become a very generic accusation that you can throw at anything in the absence of more substantiated arguments against it.
Also this equality thing can be pushed too far... why not just take it to the logical extreme and require the entire population to become androgynous since choosing to keep either balls or boobs and refuse the other is clearly extremely sexist too?

[voiceofreason]

A wedding ceremony is meaningless without the involvement of the families, a simple contract on paper signed in the presence of a witness will do and then you can consumate the contract.
If its wrong for a father to walk her daughter down the aisle, why invite him anyway.
It is symbolic to walk a daughter down the aisle in a wedding, it connotes trust and consent. It means you have someone to hold her accountable to.
If you marry a lady without the parents consent, then be prepared to deal with her alone when issues arise.

[Rebel]

Does anyone, Christian or non.Christian alike, take the Church of Sweden seriously anymore? It fell into irrelevancy years ago.

[blursd]

Well, isn't the House of Bernadotte ... French ...

[*Guest*]

The Church of Sweden is totally confused about equality! What is equal about Crown Princess Victoria, heir to the Crown of Sweden versus her husband-to-be who is a commoner?
Miss Bernadotte has TITLE, MONEY,and PRESTIGE over her husband's what?
When Sweden removes their so-called monarchy, they will have joined the rest of the lower EU countries and the United States. Until then, who cares? Swedes are always confused and always way behind the rest of the world anyway. THEY just think they are above and beyond the rest of us! It's Ms. Victoria's wedding and she should do exactly as she pleases. King Bernadotte will surely be pleased and proud to walk his eldest child down the aisle. Grattis till C.P. Victoria and her financé.

[mjennin2]

"...and in the future it is going to be very hard for us to resist requests from brides who want to be given away."
GOD FORBID a woman wants to still get married in a church, and has a request in how she desires to perform her wedding. This Archbishop is a moron. Brides/grooms are paying the church to perform their wedding, so they should oblige the bride/groom in their requests for how the trivial/peripheral details play out.
I understand this is alien to Sweden, and perhaps the Princess should stick to purely swedish tradition, however why must it be viewed as sexism? I agree with teslar. What if Vic is just paying tribute to her father and acknowledging who he is in her life? A symbol that he is "passing the baton" of the crown from his hands, down to that of the heirs?
In any event, considering as how it seems the majority of Sweden doesn't care much for the monarchy anyway, I highly doubt brides will be rushing to copy Victoria in her choice to be led down the aisle.

[Dr. Dillner]

It is her wedding, let her do what she wants.

[Will Hart]

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in "tradition" that we tend to forget the desires and feelings of others whether it be royalty or commoner. This IS Victoria's wedding!!

[Mr Gee]

"The church, which views the practice as a foreign anachronism with sexist overtones...".
Oh dear, the church has got its knickers in a twist again! And for how long has the church not been a sexist organisation?
Anyway, it's totally a non-story. It's not important whether the father accompanies the bride or not. What is important is the couple do what feels is best for them.
The church should start thinking about adapting itself. Clearly they're not busy thinking about or acting on more important issues. It's time for the church to see the light!

[Toonie]

A father walking a daughter down the aisle is entirely pragmatic. He makes sure she goes through with it, and she knows exactly where he is at all times. If he's right on her shoulder he can't be making mischief elsewhere.

[repat_xpat]

Love that massive chin.