a day with the Royals...
My fascination with the royal family began in February of 1981, when I first heard about a lady named Diana and a prince named Charles. My eight year old mind was whirring with all of the thoughts of the upcoming royal wedding. So, when the big day arrived, it was no surprise that I was up at 4:30 am to watch the glorious event unfold. I sat all by myself, while my family slept, and watched what I thought was a fairytale come true. It was more than my child's heart could have hoped for or imagined.
Well ... we all know how that story ended ... more like a nightmare than the fantastical daydreams of our youth. Yet, in November 2010, an announcement was made that caused a huge media frenzy... the engagement of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. My attention was once again caught and I have been anticipating the coming nuptials, as much as any British subject.
There was much pomp and circumstance happening in our house to prepare for such an important day. First, I made sure that I had my DVR properly set up to record the royal nuptials. Technology has advanced quite a bit in the last 30 years and so I did not have to get up before the sun to watch this wedding.
Secondly, I made a recipe of scones to nosh. Royal weddings can get very long and you must have the proper nourishment to maintain your stamina. Who am I kidding? I just wanted something yummy and British. This was my first attempt at making scones and they turned out quite delicious. Click here to link to my food blog, Vertiginous Chef, if you would like the recipe.Thirdly, I dressed in my absolute finest for the big event. Ahem ... do pajamas count? Well, I wanted to dress in my finest. I was definitely inspired (convicted), while watching all of female guests arrive, to do something about the sad state of my wardrobe. Genevieve, however, was in high style and would have fit in quite well with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
It has been a fun day ... full of romance and royalty, beautiful clothing and pageantry, soul stirring music and vows of love. As I tucked Genevieve in bed tonight, we talked a little more about the day's events. I took a moment to tell her that the Prince and Princess had to work really hard now to keep their marriage strong ... that marriage was fun, but it was also work. She looked at me and said, "I don't want to get married. I want to stay a little kid and make [Easter] eggs."
My 3 favorite things about the wedding:#3 The choir
#2 The kiss! The kisses!!
#1 Rt. Rev. Richard Chartes Bishop of London's homily (which I've included, just in case you missed it) I was a bit saddened today to see a lot of negative comments posted by friends on my favorite social network about the wedding. There was a lot of comments about their choice of vows, about the pomp and ceremony, and about how much "to-do" was being made over the whole event. But that is the point of it all, isn't it? Every woman wants to feel like a princess, especially on her wedding day.
"The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown." Psalm 45:13
