The bunting is hanging limply from the lamp posts, tricolore confetti litters the streets, a significant proportion of the country is reaching for painkillers and Prince Harry probably still hasn’t gone to bed yet. So, how was the royal wedding for you? Isn’t it funny how everything looks like it happened in the 80s if you add some Union Jack bunting to the scene?
Personally, I loved it. As you may have guessed from the contents of my blog (if not the title), I remain fond of the Royal Family (hey, I’ve met the Queen and Princess Diana once – which is once more than I’ve met 99% of the people I follow on Twitter – that’s practically being best friends in today’s world!) and can’t help being thrilled by the pageantry and history that royal weddings are imbued with. I’m also a terrible romantic. No really, I am.
There were some grumblings on Twitter yesterday along the lines of ‘Why do we care?’ – a question that I assumed was rhetorical and so didn’t bother answering. I’ll try to answer it now though – it’s a combination of all of the above: tradition, history, drama and romance plus liking a good old wedding and feeling in need of some good news as an antidote to all the doooom and glooom that we’re subjected to on a daily basis.
The other thing though is, and I hesitate to mention tragedy at a time of celebration, that a lot of us will never forget the site of the two princes walking in their mother’s funeral procession (I feel weepy just THINKING about it) and at that moment, I think the nation kind of resolved to look after them – thus the joy and, I suppose, RELIEF that Prince William, who always seems so shy and retiring, has not just made a normal life for himself but also found happiness with Kate Now Catherine Middleton.
Weddings, of course, are one of those occasions that are just as much about the people who aren’t there as those who are. Princess Diana’s absence must have been felt keenly by her sons – Prince Harry has reportedly said that: ‘Every day, I know I do and I’m sure William does as well, whatever we do, wherever we are and whoever we’re with, I particularly always wonder what she’d think, what she’d be doing if she was with us now.’ I bet she would have been super MEGA proud of them both yesterday – every day in fact.
What a superb wedding it was though. My own wedding is not precisely as I would have wished (so low key that it wasn’t really a wedding at all), which I regret enormously now (I could have a vow renewal but people always assume that they are a public make up after one of the couple has cheated, so I’m not too eager to do this) so I am currently very keen indeed on decent weddings. I feel sated now though – like a dieter who gorges on a pile of really good chocolate (probably Montezumas), I feel like I can pass on weddings for a good few years to come or at least until Prince Harry gets married, which, let’s face it won’t be for a very long time and will probably take place in Vegas at 4am so plenty of time to brace ourselves.
Yes, okay, at times, I did feel a bit, y’know, Cor blimey, guv’nor, bow and scrape, tug my forelock but that’s okay. It was nice of them to let us join in really, even though it was obvious that they would probably prefer something a lot smaller and more intimate. To be honest though – it may have taken place in an Abbey and involved a procession and roads closed off and a lot of gilt and um trees, but overall the whole thing was a lot less revoltingly and obscenely over the top than the nuptials of several celebrities that I could name.
Anyway. High points of the day? Victoria Beckham turning up dressed up as a psycho ex girlfriend; Princess Beatrice flaunting a head piece that she’d clearly stolen from Lady GaGa’s dressing room; bored bridesmaids; Prince Harry looking after small children (actually everything involving Prince Harry was a high point); the new Duchess’ ‘wow’ as she stepped out onto the balcony for the first time and saw the crowd; the first sighting of The Dress and the collective gasp on Twitter; lovely Prince William’s blush as he kissed his bride; the drive out of the palace in a vintage car (how cool was that?); amazing camerawork on the part of the television channels (that jaw dropping view from the top of the Abbey!); beautiful choices of music for the ceremony; the second wedding dress with that adorable cardigan; Prince William’s fabulous red uniform (my grandfather was in the Scots Guards and got married in his uniform – effectively TOTALLY upstaging my grandmother in the wedding photos); the insanely beautiful daughters of Earl Spencer; NO MORE STRAPLESS WEDDING DRESSES…
Low point: Feeling oooooold. I remember when the BBC scrolled the announcement of Prince William’s birth at the bottom of the screen during some boring programme or other and now I just saw him get married. That’s a bit terrifying. Small consolation that my own husband is a couple of months older than William (why yes, I am a cougar) – that just made me feel even older!
Moving BRISKLY on! What were your favourite moments? Looking forward to the pitter patter of tiny little royal feet next? I mean, if you thought the fuss that attended the wedding was way over the top, just wait until they start having babies…
Why not have a pagan handfasting ceremony rather than a vows renewal. Tons of fun and cider!
I don’t think Dave would approve of that at all – he’s a bit anti pagan. ;)
It was considerate of them to coordinate with the colors of your blog background, wasn’t it? The scroll through the wedding pictures was extra lovely that way. Watching the wedding event unfold made me think of how much the monarchy (and, society in general) has progressed, in many ways, since the days of Henry XVIII (and others)> It’s a safe bet that there’s no chopping block or guillotine in any of their futures. Little William is all grown up and, you’re right, his mother would be proud. As for feeling old, watching,… that reminds me of something my mother, who was a beautiful young woman, used to say of such situations… “I’ve been where you are and you’ll be where I am.” We all feel the same inside, even though we grow older, and we all live through the same stages of life. If we’re lucky. Enjoy your post-wedding weekend and know that I appreciate the sense of style and humor that you put into your blog.
Thanks so much! xx
I enjoyed the wedding very much, especially the pomp and circumstance that goes with these events. I enjoyed everything you described in fact.
It was so lovely to see William so very happy. Everything went very well and i’m really pleased for them both.
I love the photos you have put on here, brilliant in black and white!
Thank you! I did it myself because I love black and white wedding photos and thought Catherine’s colouring would look fab in them – they turned out well didn’t they? :)
I am so pleased for them and everyone really – they did Britain proud. :)
LOVED IT ALL! Everything you mentioned and of course the moment William saw Kate in the Abbey and told her she looked beautiful *swoon* lol.
Can’t wait for the big baby announcement either! I really do hope they’re amazingly happy – they certainly looked in love…
And of course Harry. I can’t wait for him to find a young lady to tame his partying ways – the wedding celebrations will certainly be a blast.
At 32 i’m feeling somewhat old now that a future monarch is married and settled but is actually younger than me. *sigh* ;D
Great post! x
Oh that was divine. The whole wedding was just perfection – I love how the trappings were very grand indeed but actually the wedding itself was very simple and unaffected. They really hit a perfect note with the whole day. :)
Very nice commentary – also love the black and white pics!
Thank you! I wanted something a little different and black and white always looks so elegant doesn’t it? :)
It was insanely beautiful wasn’t it? *dabs eyes* I actually think that Prince Harry will surprise us all by being really conventional in his choices in a few years. I’ll look forward to it!
I think you might be right – he’s so determined to have a good time now that it seems like he has it in his mind that one day he’ll have to really settle down.
I love prince Harry – it always takes me aback when I hear him speak because he sounds so um un-royal. It’s amazing.
Love your post on the wedding. I’m over from the link on Lottie Loves.
Is that really what people think of vow renewals??? I would never have thought of that!
Love the black and white pics. Your Diana comments nearly made me cry. x
Thank you! :)
Haha, yes, that seems to be the prevalent feeling about them. It’s a shame isn’t it?
I almost cried writing that tbh – it really chokes me up. I feel weepy whenever I see them actually!
I don’t normally comment, but this post is a)visually stunning and b)perfectly sums up my feelings about it all. It’s nice to have something to be happy about in the news, and what’s more cheer-inducing than good old fashioned love? Stuff the haters, the royal wedding is my new favourite thing to pore over in every detail. Keep up the fab work! x
Thank you! xxx
You have a lovely blog! Meeting you has been a pleasure
Thank you very much! :)
It was a beautiful wedding and I wish the happy couple a lifetime of happiness. I love the black and white photos. Very elegant.
Thank you – I like to be a bit different! ;)