VOA标准英语2011--Britain Notes Big Change in Royal Weddin

Britain Notes Big Change in Royal Wedding Souvenirs

What can a cookie tin, a Rubik's Cube, and a novel tell us about Britain's royal family?
Robert Opie has been a collector since before he can remember. Today, his collection makes up a museum in London.
It's crammed¹ full of souvenirs from the past few hundred years and among them a whole souvenir history of Britain's royal family.
Steeped in tradition
The objects tell a story of a monarchy² steeped in tradition and decorum - a theme that Opie says is reflected in the very nature of the souvenirs themselves.
"I think the story of the wedding souvenirs and indeed royal souvenirs in general is that they maintain very much a traditional structure," Opie explained. "We've got mugs and plates and jugs³. We've got tins, which often contain chocolate or biscuits. We've got the flags, we've got all kinds of royal souvenirs which kind of capture the moment. So there is very much a continuity of style that maintains throughout the story."
But he says that story is changing. At his Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising⁴ in London, Opie has documented a rapid liberalization of British culture since the 1960s.
He says that's resulted in a new style of royal souvenir that breaks with the traditional repertoire⁵ of the past.
Charles & Diana
The first major royal event that really showed this shift, he says, was the wedding of Prince Charles to Diana.
"Certainly for 1981 with Charles and Di the latest thing was a tea towel," explained Opie, "and there are quite a few different examples and the other for that particular moment was the annoying Rubik's Cube, which only children seemed to be able to do and that was the latest innovations, so of course they did a royal one for that."
That wedding also marked a shift in the real lives of the royal family, says publicist Richard Fitzwilliams, an expert on the royal family.
He says Diana, through both her life and death, brought the royal family closer to the British public and especially to young people.
William & Kate
Fitzwilliams says Prince William and Kate Middleton are the perfect couple to bring that mantle⁷ forward.
"I would say William and Catherine are the perfect team to take the monarchy into the new century because there is no doubt they are so responsive to public feeling," the publicist said. "They are tremendously popular. And you can see in the walkabouts and the official duties they've performed so far how at ease they are with people."
Fitzwilliams says the relationship between William and Kate shows just how much the monarchy has changed in recent decades.
Diana was only 20 years old when she married into the royal family. Up until her wedding day she referred to Prince Charles as ‘sir' and even her sexual history was a topic of public concern.
Changing times
This year's bride is another story altogether. Kate is 29 years old. She has a university degree. And she and William have lived together on and off for the past 10 years.
Fitzwilliams says the different brides reflect a changing Britain.
"The relationship between William and Catherine is a very modern relationship," he noted⁸. "What is particularly significant is that this is the first time that the heir to the throne of Britain can actually choose his bride regardless of class."
Collector Robert Opie says the popularization of the royal family can be seen in this year's royal wedding souvenirs.
A romantic fiction graphic⁹ novel is on display at his museum. Royal wedding beers, condoms, and sick bags have also been specially⁶ made for the event.
"At the moment I'm seeing more souvenirs that have a little bit of an edge in terms of a feeling of alternative monarchy," Opie said. "So it's a little bit more edgy¹⁰ in the way that it's portrayed¹¹."
When contraception replaces cookie tins as a royal souvenir, it might be a sign that the times really are changing.

1 crammed   

adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式)

参考例句：

• He crammed eight people into his car. 他往他的车里硬塞进八个人。
• All the shelves were crammed with books. 所有的架子上都堆满了书。

2 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

3 jugs   

（有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Two china jugs held steaming gravy. 两个瓷罐子装着热气腾腾的肉卤。
• Jugs-Big wall lingo for Jumars or any other type of ascenders. 大岩壁术语，祝玛式上升器或其它种类的上升器。

4 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

5 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

6 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

7 mantle   

n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红

参考例句：

• The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green.大地披上了苍翠欲滴的绿色斗篷。
• The mountain was covered with a mantle of snow.山上覆盖着一层雪。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

10 edgy   

adj.不安的；易怒的

参考例句：

• She's been a bit edgy lately,waiting for the exam results.她正在等待考试结果，所以最近有些焦躁不安。
• He was nervous and edgy, still chain-smoking.他紧张不安，还在一根接一根地抽着烟。

11 portrayed   

v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画

参考例句：

• Throughout the trial, he portrayed himself as the victim. 在审讯过程中，他始终把自己说成是受害者。
• The author portrayed his father as a vicious drunkard. 作者把他父亲描绘成一个可恶的酒鬼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》