A video capturing an unexpected marriage proposal during a university graduation ceremony has ignited a fierce debate on social media. The footage, shared by Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, shows an unidentified man in graduation robes popping the question to a shocked woman as she steps forward to receive her degree. Spectators erupted into spontaneous applause as the heartwarming scene unfolded in King’s Hall, located in the Armstrong Building on the university campus. The tweet accompanying the video read, “There’s more than one way to make your day in King’s Hall memorable,” accompanied by ring and heart emojis. However, despite its popularity with over 3.2 million views, the proposal has divided public opinion.
Selfish, self-centred narcissist can’t even let her have her moment and has to make it all about him.
— Will Harley (@Hardley76) July 19, 2023
While some users found the gesture touching and romantic, others criticized the man’s decision to propose in such a public setting, detracting from the woman’s individual achievement. A survey conducted in 2022 by OnePoll for Hungry Howie’s, a pizza restaurant chain, revealed that preferences for proposals vary among Americans, with 28 percent favoring extravagant displays and 31 percent desiring more private and intimate moments. The comments section under the tweet became a battleground for opposing viewpoints, with some condemning the man’s actions as selfish and inconsiderate. Conversely, supporters emphasized the joy of the moment and extended their well-wishes to the couple.
It’s awful.
Poor lady. One of the best days of her life hijacked by a rather selfish prat.
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) July 19, 2023
Despite the mixed reactions, the identity of the woman in the video remains undisclosed, leaving the context of her response to the proposal uncertain. Newcastle University has not yet provided an official statement or additional information about the incident. While some users have praised the video as heartening, others argue that public proposals during significant events like graduations can overshadow personal achievements and should be approached with caution. The debate continues to rage on social media, with both sides defending their positions on this memorable event captured in King’s Hall.
There's more than one way to make your day in King's Hall memorable 💍 💕 #WeAreNCL #NCLGrad pic.twitter.com/HbT3VgUGDm
— Newcastle University (@UniofNewcastle) July 18, 2023
