Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It was America's version of a royal wedding: lavish, complicated and at the centre of a huge security operation which ensured that crowds that turned out to cheer the happy couple were more likely to see shady-looking spooks carrying guns and wearing dark sunglasses than glamorous guests in big hats and posh frocks.
Chelsea Clinton married her boyfriend, Marc Mezvinsky, in a Beaux Arts estate near the village of Rhinebeck, on the upper Hudson River 90 miles north of New York on Saturday afternoon. The happy couple were surrounded by several hundred guests under an anti-terrorist no-fly zone that extended thirty miles.
Though the event was surrounded in secrecy, Bill and Hillary Clinton released photographs of the big day, together with a statement expressing their happiness that the "special" occasion had passed off according to their daughter's best-laid plans.
"Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends," it read.
"We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day."
A family spokesman added that the wedding ceremony was conducted by both a rabbi and a reverend, since the Clintons are Methodists while Mr Mezvinsky, an investment banker, is Jewish. It included the reading of a poem by the English writer, Leo Marks, The Life That I Have. Roads immediately surrounding the event were closed to traffic. Hundreds of well-wishers who travelled to the small town for the day were, however, rewarded with glimpses of at least six busloads of guests being shipped to the event, most of them in black tie.
In keeping with Ms Clinton's apparent desire not to turn the event into a celebrity circus, many of the famous people who had been tipped to show up were conspicuous by their absence. There was no Oprah Winfrey, the Obamas were not invited, and even Mr Clinton's former deputy, Al Gore, was otherwise engaged.
The biggest "names" the awaiting press corps got to see were Madeleine Albright, Clinton's former Secretary of State, together with the actor Ted Danson, who jokingly asked reporters: "Am I the only celebrity in town?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments