Nic Robertson: Madonna wedding very much a private affair

CNN Correspondent Nic Robertson describes the scene outside the remote castle in Scotland where pop singer Madonna and British film director Guy Ritchie were married.

Q: Why has this wedding gotten so much attention? Why do so many people care about it?

Well, I think it's getting so much attention because Madonna is still extremely popular. And her 1985 wedding (to actor Sean Penn) was obliterated by the press, so I think there was a desire on the part of the press to come back and see her do it again.

As far as we know, nobody (in the media) got to see it. There's been no inside pictures. But there is a possibility of some official photographs (being released), of course.

Q: What have you found to be the most interesting aspect of this story?

Perhaps the most interesting aspect has been the reaction of the local community, which has been very welcoming to her and very tolerant of the media that have inundated their tiny village in the north of Scotland. The population was very pleased to see someone bring attention to their area, which has a tourist economy. There's been a lot of romanticism in the local community about this wedding.

Q: What is the scenery like around Skibo castle?

This place is so beautiful. It's on a sea rock, the mist comes in around the rock, and there's no way you can get close to that castle.

Q: What was it like where all the reporters were, outside the main gate?

More controlled than one might have imagined. Two police and two security officers were making sure photographers didn't block the guests' cars as they were arriving. Among the reporters there was an air of good humor about it. A lot of those journalists are more used to covering politics and wars than pop stars' weddings.

And there was some local people as well, just a couple of dozen, driving by with their families, trying to catch a glimpse.

Q: Do you think this wedding has any larger significance?

I think perhaps this highlights that you can have a showbiz wedding at the center of global media attention and still keep it a very private affair. I think this shows it can be done.

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