Prince William Asked Dad -- Should You?

Ladies, my deepest sympathies to all you Prince William hopefuls. After dating for several years, the probable someday-king has proposed to his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, and they hope to get married in the spring or summer.

Amid all the excitement surrounding the engagement (according to The New York Times, Prime Minister David Cameron said his cabinet responded with a “great cheer” and “banging of the table” — how British), there’s the sweet fact that Prince William asked Kate’s father — a middle-class guy, by English accounts — for permission to marry his daughter.

While we can expect a lot of traditional flair in royal affairs, some consider a guy asking a girl’s father for her hand to be entirely old fashioned. After all, it’s the girl’s decision, not her dad’s, even if it is a formality.

And it’s not like she’s some piece of property, like a power-drill or garden ladder. Some guys ask for the father’s blessing, indicating that they’re leaving the choice up to the girl. GroomGroove.com suggests that guys ask both of the girl’s parents at the same time, eschewing “last century’s rules.”

At TheKnot.com, one commenter wrote she doesn’t think asking a father for a girl’s hand is old fashioned at all. “It [is] not about asking permission, but about showing respect and love to future family members. A marriage is still combining families together, and to let the parents know is a kind and polite gesture,” she wrote.

The Art of Manliness is a big fan of asking a father for his daughter’s hand, but it does offer seven pieces of advice, including making sure you and your girlfriend are on the same page first and asking the dad in person if possible.

I know guys who’ve taken their future father-in-laws to ballgames, out for dinner, or on a walk around the farm when asking to propose. One guy dropped the question in the middle of an  “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars” History Channel marathon, proving that the moment doesn’t have to be formal to be meaningful.

So, CatholicMatchers, what do you think? Guys, when you find the right girl, will her father know first? And girls, is your guy asking your dad endearing or insulting?

Editor's update

ABC announced that Prince William asked Kate's father after proposing! He said he was afraid he could say no. CatholicMatchers, does that affect the way you think about asking the bride-to-be's father?