The Royal Wedding From My Throne: Part 3

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK

Yesterday in London? UNFORGETTABLE!

Like a child's first time to Disney World

Excuse me if I talk too fast :)

It was a thrill to walk around the day before the Royal Wedding

Nothing short of fantastic

Notice the crowd on the bridge
Love the flying flags

I first arrived (kids in tow) at Westminster Abbey around 3:45p. It was packed with people

Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square

International media set up everywhere

Impressive media grandstand-thingy across from Westminster Abbey

Sorry, No Tours Of The Abbey Today, Madam :)

Camera Boom Set Up For Tomorrow

Camping Out
See the tents?

I was so busy taking photos and keeping track of the kiddos, look who snuck up behind me

Super-famous American news anchor Katie Couric!

Right after I took this photo, she looked right at me and gave me a HUGE cutie-pie smile 

(darn, that's the photo I should have taken)

Then I said, 'Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!' (taking a photo of you like a total dork)

And she said in the nicest way, 'Oh, that's okay' (I see dorks all the time)

Now I am her newest fan

Here is a photo of my new BFF working

Katie was super sparkly and adorable in person and seemed to be in a great mood, 

taking photos with everyone who asked and just smiling the whole time

Playing it 'cool' and trying to contain the jumping monkeys in my tummy, I whispered to the kids

'Oh my gosh, guys. I know you have no idea who that was, but she is crazy famous'

Their reply? 'Why are you talking in that squeaky voice, mom?' 

So I get a little star struck. The moment was totally lost on the little ones :)

***

We moved along and the crowds were gone

Check Points Set Up For Tomorrow

This reporter was cracking us up. He would start to talk in the microphone, 

then white flower petals would drop onto his hair. Brushing them off, he'd have to start all over

Video screen at Trafalgar Square for public viewing tomorrow

There were about 6 different police escorts that passed us while we roamed around

I thought I saw Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in one of those cars

Who knows? But I'm sticking with it

Trafalgar Square & The National Gallery

There was definitely a police presence everywhere, but they all seemed in good spirits

At first I thought he was waving at me to stop taking photos,

but he actually was just waving for the picture

Hello friendly policeman

We arrived at Buckingham Palace by 5p

The crowd was thin, unlike the Abbey

See the cleverly camoflagued television camera 'hides' around the statues?
You almost missed those, didn't you?

Another media bandstandy-thingy across from Buckingham Palace

I have been trying to figure out what gets me so pumped about the Royal Wedding day, 

and I think I finally put my finger on it

Wearing Will & Kate Masks

In the US, our patriotic day is definitely The 4th Of July

It is a national holiday when many wear the national colors, fly the American flag, 

and have a day with friends, family or neighbors. There are fireworks and parades

Each year it is a celebration of being American and having our freedoms

England doesn't really have an annual national, patriotic day

One reason could be the English personality. You would find the typical English person modest

Perhaps only 'boastful about not being boastful'

Few would say, 'I'm English and proud of it!' for fear it might offend

And England is intertwined with many identities- 

Great Britain, the United Kingdom, and even the European Union with its fluid borders 

I think the sun still doesn't set on the British Commonwealth, but few will tell you that here

Although the Royal Wedding is not a celebration of England, 

it has brought the country together with one million people joining in street parties

And to me, that feels patriotic

I am twirling with excitement that I am here to celebrate this historic day with them

Azaleas in St James's Park behind media grandstand

Thank you for joining me for the ride this Royal Week

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!

Wishing Will & Kate the very best

- all photos by me -

The Royal Wedding Part I - Insider Scoop (here)

The Royal Wedding Part II - Celebrating The Wedding (here)

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