We Love Them/We Love Them Not?

Sunday's Toronto Star had a very odd/interesting layout on page A2. The whole page had only two articles - one covering the recent British royal wedding, the other, regarding survival and rescue efforts in China. What caught my attention so strongly was the photos.




The similarity between the two photos - that they're both of people reclining - is in very stark contrast to the conditions under which both sets of people are reclining. What baffles me about this layout is that it appears to be a bizarre condemnation of the royal couple for celebrating a joyous and decadent event while people are suffering in China...but the coverage of the wedding takes up significantly more room on the page than the coverage of the earthquake, and basic journalistic practice assigns importance based on column length. So what the heck are they trying to say here?

I've written to Kathy English, the Star's public editor, asking for her take on the intent behind this layout. I'll post her response if and when I have it. In the meantime, feel free to speculate! We can start a pool or something.