There has been lots of pooh-poohing around the Internet about royal wedding excitement, but I am unabashed in my fervor for all things House of Windsor (indeed, all the British Royal Houses!). I was up early this morning to watch as the elegant cars arrived at Westminster Abbey, just as I was up early to watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding in 1981. I gasped with delight when I saw the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown*. She looks perfect–elegant, fresh, happy. For all the extravagances that a royal wedding by nature entails, I thought this wedding showed appropriate restraint without losing any of the pomp that so delights fans of the royals.
One of my many favorite parts of the wedding ceremony was hearing William Blake’s poem “Jerusalem“. Of course, the ceremony is only the beginning of the delights for royal watchers. The sun broke out, and the bride and groom were able to take the open-air 1902 state landau. What fun to watch their joy as they rode back to Buckingham Palace!
When I returned home from a few meetings on campus, I broke open a package of chocolate McVities(the company created a chocolate McVities cake for the reception!) (Here’s Tea and Sympathy’s recipe) and poured a glass of ginger ale and Pimm’s. I watched the ceremony highlights again, and then I went outside into a glorious New England spring day.
I had a mission once outside.
I’ve set myself a goal to preserve some bounty from the yard and garden each month of the growing season.
April’s contribution: violet syrup. I’ve picked a basket full of violets, and by Sunday, I should have some lovely spring captured in a bottle!
How about you? Did you watch the royal wedding today? If you’re one of the many who are not excited by it, then tell me what bounty is growing in your area!
*Thanks, Margene, for setting me straight!
I was up at 4 to watch and I loved it. I thought Catherine’s dress was perfect and elegant and lovely. I enjoyed the whole thing and can’t wait to see more photos from the rest of the day. And two kisses! Yay for two kisses!
Did not watch the wedding but saw “the kiss”. She’s also not a Princess, but a Duchess. Queen Elizabeth evidently didn’t want her to have the title of Princess (as of yet?). We’re having a snow storm and there isn’t much I want to preserve about that!
My bad! She’s “Her Royal Highness, Princess William of Wales” and “Duchess of Cambridge” as she gets William’s titles. Well, I guess she could also go by “Baroness of Carrickfergus”, too!
PS. I love your violets!
Wait until you see the violet syrup! Pretty!
I was up watching from 3am on–a warm up for my little brother’s wedding tomorrow. Personally, I loved the Bishop of London’s sermon.
It was a good sermon! Enjoy your brother’s wedding!!
I plan to watch the highlights tonight and recaps as they come available. I had to sleep. I work night shift on weekends and cannot spare an ounce of sleep otherwise. From what I saw, she looked just lovely.
I did it in 1981, and I did it again today. I can’t believe I cried through half the ceremony! I must be getting sentimental in my old age.
I took a few peeks as I readied for work in the morning, and I did catch part of the vows on the radio as I drove to the office. Prince William has a lovely voice.
When I did a semester’s study abroad, I lived a few blocks from the McVittie’s factory. Oh the air was divine in the very early morning hours!