The Royal Wedding - Personal Reflections

April 29, 2011 - Another Fairytale Royal Wedding  Prince William and Kate



Kate Middleton walks up the aisle on the arm of her father Michael Middleton at Westminster Abbey, central London, for her marriage to Britain's Prince William, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan, Pool) 



Britain's Prince William, center right, and Kate Middleton, center left, stand at the altar during their wedding service at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, Pool) 

Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 

I'm out of bed at 1:30 a.m. ... with a cup of tea and my cat curled up in my lap, I plan to enjoy the early morning wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton who, after this wedding day, will be known as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
As I sat glued to the pre-wedding festivities on TV, I completely forgot that I was going to get the laundry done and organize my shopping coupons while watching the all night wedding event.

It occurred to me that I could turn on hubby's computer and make notes of my observations as they happened.  So, here are my moment by moment personal reflections of another storybook wedding.  As I typed, I added the comments to my Facebook page for the next five hours!

Those who would like to visit the official Buckingham Palace website, this is the link HERE.

The first impression is the unusual natural beautification of Westminster Abbey. I learn that the bride and groom wanted simple, natural, beauty which included eight maple trees lining the long walkway to the alter, and later I read the cost was $83,000 to decorate the Abbey.




Britain's Prince William, center left, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey as they make their way to Buckingham Palace, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/David Jones, Pool) 

 As I find another chair to get comfortable in, I wonder if my friend, Tania Phillips, is able to watch this. I know she's excited as this is her home country.

Of course it wouldn't be British without the HATS. Here are a few of the special ones worn to the wedding. Guests started entering the church three hours early. Wow! Look at all the unique, colorful, some strange-looking HATS!



Carole Middelton
Chris Jackson/Getty Image




Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Her Majesty the Queen of England
(Getty Images)

Lots of colorful marching bands are performing all along the route right now as Little Boots and I enjoy watching the long-distance wedding event.  Here comes the perfectly groomed parade of handsomely uniformed officers!

A marching band parades along The Mall before the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS

There's so much talk about what Kate's wedding dress will look like. Everything from the 'goddess' look to hoping she will have a big veil and long train. For sure, the commentaries say, we know she will "get it right". At this moment, she's quite likely putting on her wedding dress!


There they are! Prince William, a splash of red in the back seat. He waves at the massive crowds with pure white gloves. He and Harry both salute as they go through the gate. Very good cameras getting close-ups!


Pensive: Prince William appears nervous as he is transported in a Rolls
dailymail.co.uk



Both boys enter The Abby and are fidgeting like they're nervous. Beads of sweat shine on their foreheads! William informally greets people in The Abbey. I thought he would head for some secluded room. Oh, there they go behind the High Alter. They're calling it a 'holding area'.

Kate's mother is on her way. We now have details of her dress, but it didn't mean much to me. The light blue dress made by someone, the hat made by someone else who will be famous from here on out! Foreign royals are now entering The Abby. And, some members of the royal family are on their way.
The Queen departs to trumpets sounding and great cheers from the people along the route. She is dressed in very bright yellow. Her husband is dressed in his bright red uniform. Bridesmaids leave. Prince Charles and his wife arrive  The six state trumpeters herald the Queen's arrival at The Abby.






Photo CNN world

Ohhhhh, the bride enters the car. I see a long train being very carefully folded into the car. It's being called a 'delightful view". By the time you read this, the photos will be everywhere. Her hair his down and pulled back a little.  It's being called a 'delightful view". By the time you read this, the photos will be everywhere. Her hair his down and pulled back a little. Now... Now...the screaming begins. I see a veil. She’s smiling and waving constantly. She doesn’t look nervous to me. A woman is driving the bride’s car. There’s no rain on her parade
There she goes down the isle! Prince Harry peeks around and whispers to his brother, Prince William, who has to stand with his back to the bride while she comes down the isle. Prince Harry looks like he going to cry. Probably thinking of his mother.

The congregation is singing a song very few people seem to know. The little kids doing better than the grown-ups. The choir makes up for the non-singers.


 ‎"...Let him speak now or forever hold his peace."  ‎"...Let him speak now or forever hold his peace." A cough, but no objection. ..."Comfort her, honor, and keep her." Love him, honor him and keep him so long as you both shall live." "I will". She says all his names correctly, and he smiles...les at her. The rings.. Yes, Prince Harry has them! Oh, only one ring. A prayer, and they both close their eyes. I think I heard a faint cheer from outside when they are pronounced man and wife. Another song. The congregation is still standing. I wonder if they forgot to tell them to sit down. Naa. No mistakes here! More singing.


Kate's brother presents a Bible verse. Whew. Everyone can sit down now. Prince William and Princess Kathryn (I hope that's how to spell and say her professional name now) also get to sit. They pretend to look at the program. Princess Kathryn glances around and tires not to smile and wave. A choir sings, "This Is the Day", a song written for this wedding.


"Be who you are supposed to be, and you will set the world on fire..." starts the 'sermon'. Kate looks a little nervous now. Is she going to faint? Her breathing is a little fast and labored even though she's sitting down. She glances to and smiles at Prince William. He gives her a handsome, quick smile. ... Is she going to faint? The Princess doesn’t look well. She’s pale and breathing too fast.


..."Give them the gift of children..." "Live together in holy love until your life ends..."

 Elton John pretends to sing the next song, but looks like he doesn't know this song either.


The signing of the three registers. Family members go to the back for this to be done in private and in the most sacred part of The Abbey. The Princess looks much better. She smiles up at Prince William, and he gives her a quick smile of strength!


All these hats in the 1,900 selected guests moving about as women fidget while waiting. Oh no. there's a man picking his nose. Two women chat and laugh while their big hats hide their faces. Here's comes the procession now. Wait for it. Wait for it... Trumpets!!! Wait for it...

 The bridal couple comes back into the sanctuary. She smiles (at last). He holds her hand tightly. They turn and curtsy to the Queen. (Or, she does). Slowing walking down the isle. She looks royal. A shy smile along the way. He looks dashing, but humble. The little ones in the wedding party are perfect angels. Still walking down that long isle. The Priest quietly claps at them as they walk past him. A close-up of their hands, both are slightly shaking! Prince William avoids stepping on her gown! The stop and smile at the door to the Abby! The bells ring and ring! The crowd is louder!





Britain's Prince William bows and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, curtsies in front of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as they leave Westminster Abbey accompanied by his best man Britain's Prince Harry and her maid of honour Pippa Middleton after the wedding service at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool) 

 White horses and the red carriage. A little bit of sunshine. The Princess looks at everyone and smiles. Prince William gets in first. Moves to a different side of the carriage. Thousands of long-lensed cameras focused on the serious, but quietly happy couple. They talk to each other without looking at each other. She looks simply elegant. Not overly done up. The Queen looks happy now too as she comes out of The Abby. For some reason, Prince William salutes and holds the salute a lot. I think Prince Harry rides a horse beside the carriage.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make the journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace past crowds of spectators following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) #

The bride and groom briefly holding hands as they go under a tunnel (through the gate). I think they thought no one saw them holding hands because when they came out, they weren't holding hands anymore.
I'll bet all the females in the world will be wearing those small earrings that the bride is wearing today. Boy, is the Queen smiling now in her carriage. Cheers from the crowd for her too. Enter the palace. Time for photographs. (I wondered when the would do that/)


Interestingly, as Princess Kate steps out of the carriage at the palace, there's no one to help with her train because Prince William is holding her hand and her bouquet. One of the guards comes over to hold her train. I'll bet that's something he'll remember forever!


The Queen arrives. The Duke helps her out which she seems to have a little trouble maneuvering. The carriage is a little shaky.

The newscaster's comment, "Her Majesty has a smile now".


Think I'll go sip some tea while I wait for "The Balcony Thing" in about an hour.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda