Here Comes....
The Royal Wedding!
Tomorrow is the big day and I can't wait! Anyone who knows me knows this is huge in my world. I was born and raised Canadian but my family roots are based in the UK. My heart has always been overseas, even as a small child before I realized that British blood coursed through my veins. I, along with countless others, have been waiting for this moment for years. Some would say we have been waiting for this moment since the day Prince William was born. The marriage of a direct heir to the British throne is epic, but I have to say this event has become even more poignant due to the love and devotion that emanates from this couple. You can see the honest affection in their eyes when they look at each other and I don't believe I have seen that reflected in any royal couple since the Queen and her own consort Prince Phillip were married (no I was not around personally at the time but I have watched plenty of footage, probably more than once LOL!).
I remember sitting up in the wee small hours watching Lady Diana Spencer become Diana Princess of Wales. I sat with my mother, together in the dark, with only the glow of the television to light the event chatting excitedly as we awaited the fairy tale moment. We watched, we cried, and we felt oddly patriotic toward a country we had never visited personally. I think my mum had more British leanings than she was willing to admit, but I have always been openly UK all the way. I really wish we had the chance to take that trip together, how wonderful it would have been to share the experience of going 'home'.
Now as I gear up for the big wedding, I know she will be watching with me from above keeping me company in the dark early morning hours. Yes I will be awake (well awake enough) to watch the royal union as it transmits live from London just as I was all those years ago. I will also PVR the event and all the extra footage pertaining to the big day so I can watch again when I am more wide awake. Call me crazy if you wish, but I am so excited it's like I have my own spot in the pews at Westminster Abbey.
Speaking of filling pews, how cool is it that William and Catherine invited locals from the small town of Bucklebury to the wedding! These people interacted with Wills and Kate on a regular basis when they spent time in her hometown and now they are being honored with invites to the biggest shin dig in the country. When you consider that some foreign dignitaries and even local officials have been left off the list, this is an epic achievement. It only demonstrates further how they maintain a personal touch within a long standing formalized institution. It is wonderful to see that they will honor traditions but still remain faithful and respectful to those that touch them personally, adding a slightly more modern and humble twist to royalty.
Incidentally, the music choices for this occasion hold special meaning for William and Catherine as well. The first song played at the service will be
'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer' as a personal tribute to William's mother. The song was played at her funeral and will now ring in the beginning of her son's special day. As Kate walks down the isle with Diana's sapphire on her finger the melodies of 'I Was Glad' by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry will resonate through the cathedral. This song has been used often for major royal occasions.
I wish I could be sipping this tea while I watch, it's too funny! If I had my way I would be decked out Union Jack style just like the Royalists camping out on the pavement outside Westminster Abbey.
All along the wedding route there will be vendors selling official wedding programs detailing absolutely everything about the service and the route. Ooooh how I would love to get my hands on one of these!
Apparently they sold a similar program for the wedding of Charles and Diana, anyone have an extra they want to unload LOL! As a matter of fact if you are a UK citizen and wish to send me loads of wedding paraphernalia I will gladly accept your generosity, simply head into the 'contact me' section of this blog. Okay I know no one will send me stuff, but it never hurts to try LOL!
Another big indication that things are already changing within the monarchy is the release of a Thank You message from Prince William and Catherine Middleton. This is the first time a royal has ever expressed personal gratitude in such a fashion. Most thank yous are extremely formal and presented after an event, whereas this is much more intimate (well as intimate as possible when addressing the world). It's lovely to see that a young couple who wants for nothing can still express simple and humble gratitude.
On that note fellow Canadian Anglophiles, here is the CTV Royal Wedding schedule:
Thursday, April 28
1 p.m. ET – eTalk Original “Royal” Episode (CTV)
9 p.m. ET – Kate & William: A Modern Romance (Bravo!)
9 p.m. – Royal Wedding Playlist (Bravo!)
10 p.m. ET – Kate: The New Diana (Bravo!)
1 p.m. ET – eTalk Original “Royal” Episode (CTV)
9 p.m. ET – Kate & William: A Modern Romance (Bravo!)
9 p.m. – Royal Wedding Playlist (Bravo!)
10 p.m. ET – Kate: The New Diana (Bravo!)
Friday, April 29, 2011
3-10 a.m. ET – “William and Kate: The Royal Wedding”
3-10 a.m. ET – “William and Kate: The Royal Wedding”
7-9 a.m. PT – Canada AM
10-11 a.m. ET – The Marilyn Denis Show "Wedding Reception Special"
Noon – 1 p.m. ET – CTV News
Live hits from London from the Bell Media Royal Wedding broadcast team.
Live hits from London from the Bell Media Royal Wedding broadcast team.
1-3 p.m. ET – William and Kate: The Royal Wedding
Post wedding coverage.
6-7 p.m. ET – CTV News At Six
Live hits from London from the Bell Media Royal Wedding broadcast team.
Live hits from London from the Bell Media Royal Wedding broadcast team.
7-9 p.m. ET – William and Kate: The Royal Wedding
More post wedding coverage
11-11:30 p.m. ET – CTV National News with Llloyd Robertson
Wedding related.
11:30 p.m. ET – CTV News
Much of same.
4-10 a.m. ET – Live From The Royal Wedding (also available online at eonline.ca)
7 p.m. ET – E! News
9 p.m. ET – Will and Kate: Road To The Altar
10 p.m. ET – Fashion Police: Royal Wedding
7 p.m. ET – E! News
9 p.m. ET – Will and Kate: Road To The Altar
10 p.m. ET – Fashion Police: Royal Wedding
For a complete breakdown of what each segment involves visit http://shows.ctv.ca/RoyalWedding/televisionschedule.aspx
Here's to the union of a lovely couple who just so happen to be the future King and Queen consort of England! Long may their love reign! Ooooh and babies, royal babies LOL!
Have a regal day!
Being British myself (not yet a Canadian Citizen) I too shall be watching in front of the big screen. I watched Prince William become the Prince of Wales, watched Princess Anne get married as well as Prince Andrew. My biggest thrill of course was watching Diana. Then came the day of her funeral and I watched as I wept.
At 2:30am I will call Mom to wake her up to watch, make a pot of tea and be taken back to where I was born. I am terribly excited.
My Dad stood in the lines to watch Elizabeth on the day of her Coronation.
Also very happy you are blogging again.
Am I the only person alive that doesn't care?
Someone mentioned this whole wedding this a few days ago and asked me if I was excited. My response? " Apparently this Kate chick is a class act biatch in real life. If I wanted to watch a stuck up slut get married I'd just re-watch my own wedding tape. It only runs 10 minutes and I'm pretty sure there's a nip slip in there. "
Does not giving a rat's ass make me unpatriotic? Or just a bad friend?
PS..I'm calling you crazy.
What a great post! I was up watching the royal wedding coverage at 2:30 AM (crazy, I know)
I love the format of your blog. Check out my blog today for more royal wedding. :-) Have a great weekend.