Millions of people watched the wedding ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the 29th of April 2011; the time of the conclusion of the vows provides the official event chart of the marriage. In so far as I can see this was most likely an elected chart and as pertains to all matters on earth, we are given the trials and tribulations together with the blessings.

This article takes a brief look at the major pitfalls, strengths and aspirations of this high profile couple and while it is technical in nature, the gist can be grasped by everyone.

Temperament

The temperament of this marriage is choleric, portending plenty of activity for the couple; if we are to believe the press and the royal machine’s public relations departments, both William and Kate desire to connect with the common people through increased activity and engagements, so this is most fitting. The Lord of the Geniture is Mars in his own sign of Aries; cardinal fire is the first impulse of creation and as we have been lead to believe, this royal couple is intent on recreating the image of the somewhat tainted and stuffy monarchy.

Royal Stars

Two royal stars adorn this chart – the Ascendant on Regulus and the Imum Coli (4th house cusp) on Lucida Lancis. This is one of the multiple factors that lead me to believe that this chart was elected. There are only six royal stars in the heavens and to find two in an event chart is highly unlikely through accident. The tone of the marriage as bestowed by Regulus is benefic depicting many blessings and success (and elevation to the throne), but Regulus has a highly militant and destructive side as well. Regulus gives independence, ambition, strength of ideas and lofty ideals, but situated in the constellation of Leo, it portrays violence, destruction and imprisonment too.

As with Orion, Hercules (who killed the Nemean Lion) or any of the multiple heroes to be found in mythology, the message here is that pride comes before a fall. It takes tremendous courage to be a hero which the heart of the lion (Regulus) depicts, but heroes need to know their place in comparison to the immortals. The 4th cusp, the house of parents, lineage and family on Lucida Lancis is apt: this royal marriage will, in all likelihood, be the coupling most likely to rule in the years to come.

Manner

The entire chart displays a combative air through the following: the choleric temperament, Mars the warlord as the Lord of the Geniture and as the planet with the most essential and accidental dignities, and Mars as Lord of Manner. This is however tempered by the Sun, the symbol of God and Lord One in the chart (so the marriage in its entirety), posited in the house of his joy and holding power over the marriage by antiscion.

Emotional Nature

The couple would do well not to allow their emotions and passions to get the better of them (Ascendant is also posited on the fixed stars Alphard and Al Jabhah) and the Moon is phlegmatic by phase and in Pisces, the sign of mutable water. Saturn, the ruler of discipline and restraint, is posited on the fixed star Vindemiatrix – stupid for stupid’s sake and over stretching of one’s abilities. They need to allow the spiritual guidance which they so obviously sought by marrying at this time, the dominance it enjoys over the chart (Sun antiscion on the Asc).

Children

The house of children is enhanced through its conjunction with the North Node, but Lord 5 Jupiter conjunct the powerful Mars, also known as the lesser malefic, and the 5th cusp on the fixed star Lesath which alludes to poisons and desperation, could herald disappointments in this realm of the marriage; overall it is a not a chart brimming with fertility. The couple would do well to commence with activity in this area of life early on in their marriage.

Public Persona

There is also indication that their public persona and ‘job’ as the royal couple will not be as fortuitous as they would like. Venus is the ruler of the 10th house (the Mid Heaven), in detriment, conjunct Mercury (Lord Eleven, profit from the job and Lord Two their personal money) which hates her (Mercury in Aries receives Venus by detriment) and both are in opposition to Saturn, the great malefic posited on Vindemiatrix. While any planet can behave well if dignified, which both Mars and Saturn are in this chart, their essential nature never changes. Saturn loves Venus but Venus hates Saturn and an opposition is confrontational so there is built in potential for problems between the couple’s public persona and the general public.

The Mid Heaven is posited on the fixed stars Almach and Menkar denoting victimisation and of being placed in a position against your will; the general public, the 7th house of others which is Saturn, loves the public persona of the couple and I believe they will foolishly expect the couple, or at least one of them, to step into shoes which cannot be filled.

Whether these shoes are those of the late Lady Diana or not, is unimportant. What is of interest is that in so far as I can see from the chart, the couple is going to fall short of these expectations – which all of us do when expectations are unrealistic. This may result in a backlash from the Duke and Duchess of a militant or rebellious nature which will further exacerbate the situation and in so far as I can see over time they will withdraw from the public eye as much as they are allowed to do so.

Spiritual Nature

The fundamental desire of this couple is to lead their lives, and thus their marriage, in a spiritual and religious manner – the wedding ceremony itself was testament to that. The Sun has been allotted the most prominence in the chart by being the closet (most elevated) to the Mid Heaven and through being posited in the 9th house of God where he joys. Five of the seven plants are located in the 9th house, with only the Moon and Saturn excluded.

There is a definite desire to be close to God and for spirituality with Mars as the ruler of this 9th house having the most say in the chart and as the Lord of Manner – the way the marriage is most likely to behave and unfold - and which we can see from the receptions to Mars from the other planets. The negative receptions to Mars from Saturn and the Sun (the Sun is also the life force, ego and will of the marriage and as Lord One is the marriage itself) will undermine this somewhat and I believe there will be conflict created by others in this area (Saturn as others).

There are numerous additional points of interest that we could mention for example the negative position of this prominent Mars through its conjunction with Jupiter as the ruler of death in the chart (Lord Eight) and the Moon which is Void of Course, decreasing in light and posited in the unfortunate 8th house. However there are so many positive factors that I am confident the couple will weather the majority of storms encountered on their path – as we know astrology does not exist in a vacuum and the external context is paramount, as are the inclusion of free will and the grace of God.