Oh What a Lovely Wedding

This week, we reflect back on that big event.

Mike:

I was pleased to see Toni’s date on her TV appearance (see last post) —Robert Chatterton Dickson, British Consulate-General in Chicago—proven right in his view of perceived British apathy concerning the wedding. 

“I think on the day,” he said, “there is going to be a huge amount of public enthusiasm.”

It was touch and go up to the wire—even my attempts to cajole my workmates into the spirit by stringing bunting around my desk didn’t help—and I woke up on the morning expecting it to be just another day.  But soon after my wife (who can sleep-in for Britain when the mood strikes) was up extra early and the telly was on and the festivities began.

I think simply being in Britain for the event made a huge difference.  You really could feel the excitement, even way down here in Horsham, so being anywhere near the million-plus mob outside of Buckingham Palace must have been quite the adrenaline rush.

It was noted that the crowd was made up in no small part by American’s, Canadians and ever some Aussies., but that’s really no surprise.  People like us, who actually live here, can stay at home and watch it on the telly—it’s only the tourists who would have to stand 87 deep outside the gates to get a glimpse of what we can watch close up while sitting comfortably and drinking a cup of tea.

But wherever you were, it was great to be in Britain that day.  As Mr. Chatterton-Dickson further observed, events like this “show Britain at its best.”  And this was the best of Britain.  Whether you think the Royal Family is an anachronism that needs to be retired, or believe the Monarchy to be a priceless national treasure that must be preserved, you have to agree on this: there is no other country in the world that can do pomp, ceremony and spectacle as well as the United Kingdom.

It was a day I was proud to be British, and I am pleased to say, we watched the spectacle with interest, and in style.

Toni:

Well, I’m afraid to say I didn’t get up at 4am to watch the pre-wedding stuff. I’m just not a morning person and 7am was early enough for me. By the time we were up and getting ready for school (no day off over here) they were on the balcony and snogging.

Being one of the only British parents at school, I got a lot of attention at drop-off, with little kids asking me to say something and parents waving at me like the Queen; all very light-hearted and jolly. Pity there wasn’t a street party.

My family were all at my sister’s so I felt a teeny bit lonely watching the replays on my own, and I have to say, I was very impressed with the way the crowd behaved themselves. Brits may know how to do pomp and ceremony but they also know how to behave themselves en masse. I’m referring mainly to when they were allowed to move right up to the Palace railings. There was no shoving or running, just a well-behaved throng, staying behind the police cordon and generally being no trouble at all. I was proud of my fellow countryfolk and, although I don’t like being in huge crowds, part of me was wishing I was there.

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Royal Wedding - Buzz or Bust?

With THE wedding looming, we're taking a look at reactions on either side of the Pond.

Toni:

Well they’re all going bonkers about the Wedding over here. At least the media people are. Although I’ve been booked to do a TV segment on April 27^th talking about the wedding and all things royal, not one of my friends or acquaintances has actually sought my opinion.

And of course, everyone’s cashing in wherever they can. Take British Airways with its Royal Wedding Package. (Now then, get your minds out of the gutter.) and their promise -  “Share in the excitement and splendour as a nation and the whole world celebrates the Royal Wedding”. Well then.

And for American Royal Watchers who can’t make the trip over, the TLC tv channel has it covered: Starting early morning on Friday, April 29, TLC is culminating the network's week-long event of Royal Wedding programming (89 hours of coverage) with a live production event and viewing party from Times Square. …Starting first thing in the morning, guests will join TLC talent and celebrity contributors to celebrate the big day, as they watch the wedding live on jumbotrons and take part in various on-site activities including a SAY YES TO THE DRESS fashion show featuring past favorites from the show and the on-site weddings of three lucky couples.

(I may get up just to see if they're wearing fake tiaras and ermine.)
 
"This is without question the most widely anticipated wedding in a generation," ITV Studios America President and CEO Paul Buccieri commented.

So there you have it. If they’re not feeling the lurve in the UK, the happy couple can always hop the Pond and get it in shed loads here.

Mike:

I wouldn’t say there is overwhelming apathy for the Royal Wedding, but there is a certain lack of pizzazz associated with the event.  The idea that the streets will be closed for neighbourhood parties and that everyone will string up bunting and celebrate the day along with the happy couple seems to have been conjured up by people who remember such things happening on V-E and are naïvely over-optimistic about them happening again.

Plus, I believe a percentage of people (or a certain demographic) feel they are being manipulated:  the economy is crumbling, pay is down, costs are up, unemployment is rampant and suddenly a wedding conveniently materializes.  Was this to take people’s minds off the state of the Nation and/or to avoid a conflict with the Olympics and the Queens Jubilee?

People celebrated V-E Day a bit more enthusiastically
than they are likely to celebrate The Wedding

But it is here, and ubiquitous.  It’s in the papers, on the telly, in the stores; I just don’t find people talking about it quite as much as on our recent visit to the States.  While we were there, everyone wanted to know about the upcoming nuptials.  But then, we had just arrived from Britain so we might have the latest gossip.  Sadly, there was little we could tell them; we’re not invited, and that’s about all I know about the event.

So, come the day, there will be some celebrations and bunting stringing, but frankly, most people are simply looking forward to the day off.  

MidWeek Mention - Fit for a King

Want to celebrate the Royal Wedding in style but have nothing to wear?  Here is the answer to your dilemma: Royal Wedding Commemorative Condoms.  The perfect thing for that big knight when, as the ad copy says, you “lie back and think of England.”  

 Perfect for all occasions, whether you’re planning a simple “bucket and spade” holiday or are out looking for new empires to conquer, these are the condoms you need.  Like the SAS, they will provide cover when you’re going in hot…

What?  An analogy too far?

And I thought I had gone over the top by buying a commemorative tea cup.

The Crown Jewels website:

http://www.crownjewelscondoms.com/heritage.html

An article about them:

http://www.styleite.com/media/royal-wedding-condoms/

MidWeek Mention - Knit Your Own Royal Wedding!

What with the wedding coming up in little over a month, we thought we'd bring you a project you'll be able to finish just in time:-

Get yer knitting needles out and Knit Your Own Royal Wedding with author and knitter Fiona Goble.

Figures include the Royal family members, the Archibishop of Canterbury and the corgis, which are apparently the most difficult to knit because their legs are so small. Each character takes about five hours to knit and it's not really something that beginners should tackle because the patterns are intricate.

OK, so guess who this is: