royal wedding celebration

ancestry of Prince Harry

Britain's Prince William and his bride Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pose for an official photograph, on the day of their wedding, in the throne room at Buckingham Palace, in central London April 29, 2011. Photograph taken on April 29, 2011. Reuters Pictures

London Decked Out In Preparation

(Jamie London Boy at Flickr)

Handsome Prince William with his Beautiful Bride, Catherine


(Magnus D at Flickr)

A Dress Fit For A Future Queen


The divine dress was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

Britain's Prince Charles (R) walks with Prince William followed by his wife Kate (2L), the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall as they make their way to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following Charles and Kate's wedding earlier in the day on April 29, 2011 in London. Getty Images

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, departs Westminster Abbey after her marriage to Britain's Prince William, as they make their way to Buckingham Palace along the procession route, London, Friday, April, 29, 2011. AP Photo

A combination photo shows a selection of photos taken during the Royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in London April 29, 2011. Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton married at Westminster Abbey on Friday in a sumptuous show of British pageantry that attracted a huge world audience and breathed new life into the monarchy. Reuters Pictures

Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, come out of Westminster Abbey in London, after their wedding service, on April 29, 2011. Getty Images

Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. AP Photo

Philippa Middleton, sister of Kate Middleton and Maid of honour, arrives with the bridesmaids at the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, on April 29, 2011. Getty Images

Kate Middleton waves as she arrives at the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for her wedding to Britain's Prince William, on April 29, 2011. Getty Images

Kate Middleton (2nd L) looks at Britain's Prince William (C) as she arrives at the altar of Westminster Abbey with her father Michael Middleton (L) for their wedding, in London, on April 29, 2011 Getty Images

Fans cheer as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is driven past after her wedding to Britain's Prince William in London April 29, 2011. Prince William married his fiancee, Kate Middleton, in Westminster Abbey on Friday. Reuters Pictures

Well...what can be said beyond: What a perfect day!

“Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this....” lovely wedding. It’s so much more than a day’s celebration. Like the Abbey, it’s a thousand years in the making: the perfect blending of royalty with the people.

There was a time when people blamed their kings and queens for all their ills. There was a time when kings and queens viewed their people with disdain. It has taken centuries for the two to come together and every step along the way has led to the lovely blend of dignity, pageant and respect with the fun and sense of camaraderie that we have seen today. Alongside all the implications for the nation, we shared the joy of two lovely people who are so perfectly suited and who are both fun-loving and dignified - what a perfect combination! I hope they are having a really happy party this evening in the palace!

God bless all of the many, many people behind the scenes who rehearsed in the early hours for months in advance to make this day so lovely for our country!

And every blessing upon Prince William and Princess Catherine! May they always be as beautiful and happy as they are today!

And thank heavens for the survival of the monarchy!!

Prince William and Kate

Prince Harry, younger brother

Royals from around the world gathered in London this morning to welcome Catherine Middleton into their rarified world. For the wedding, Kate wore a beautiful gown by Sarah Burton, which reminded me of both Prince Margaret's and Princess Grace's wedding dresses. With her marriage to Prince William of Wales, the lovely Berkshire lass is now HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

Some of the royal ladies who shared her joy today included:

Mother of the bride Carole Middleton, Queen Elizabeth II and The Duchess of Cornwall
Queen Sonja of Norway and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice of York
Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia
Queen Sofia of Spain and Letizia Princess of the Asturias
Anne Princess Royal
Maxima Princess of Orange
Lalla Salma of Morocco
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
and royal bride-to-be Charlene Wittstock

This morning, it was announced that Catherine "Kate" Middleton will become Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus upon her marriage to HRH Prince William of Wales today. While there have been many Dukes of Cambridge, there have only been two Duchesses of Cambridge.

Caroline of Ansbach (1683-1737)
When the British decided to skip over all of the Catholics in the Line of Succession and settle the succession on the German family of Stuart granddaughter Electress Sophia of Hanover, Sophia's grandson George was named Duke of Cambridge and his wife Caroline of Ansbach became his Duchess in 1706. Sophia died too soon to become queen and her son became King George I in 1714 when George and Caroline became Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1727, they became King and Queen. Among their many children was Frederick Prince of Wales whom they both despised and who did not outlive them. Caroline is generally considered one of the most capable consorts. She has very involved in "helping" her husband and his Prime Minister Robert Walpole.

Augusta of Hesse-Cassel (1797-1889)
It was quite some time before another Duchess of Cambridge appeared and it almost didn't happen then. Adolphus, the seventh son of King George III was made Duke of Cambridge, but like so many of his brothers, who was not very keen on getting hitched. But, when the only child of the Prince of Wales died, all the unmarried royal dukes, quickly married much younger brides in hopes of fathering the next royal heir. Twenty-one-year-old Augusta was half her husband's age. They did have several children, but unfortunately for them, Adolphus was just too far doen the line to inherit the crown that went to Victoria, daughter of the fourth son. Perhaps the best remembered of their children was Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge who married the Duke of Teck and became the mother of the future Queen Mary, consort of King George V and grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. It is undoubtedly the queen's close family connection that makes the Cambridge title so appealing for her grandson.

Catherine Middleton (1982- )
Now, we shall see how Catherine, only the third Duchess of Cambridge, will perform in her new royal role. Best wishes on this happy day!

Read more about the history of the Cambridge title on Royal Musings.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Catherine Middleton waves to the crowds as she arrives at The Goring Hotel after visiting Westminster Abbey on April 28, 2011 in London, England. With less than 24 hours to go final preparations for the wedding of Prince William. Getty Images


Right: Kate Middleton arrives at The Goring hotel in London April 28, 2011. Britain's Prince William will marry his fiancee Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey on April 29. Reuters Pictures

girlfriend prince william kate

Britain's Prince Charles waves as he arrives at the Mandarin Oriental hotel for a gala dinner hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London on April 28, 2011 on the eve of the Royal wedding. Britain's Prince William is to marry his fiancee Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011.  Getty Images



Prince Philip, Duke of York arrives at the Mandarin Oriental hotel for a gala dinner hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London on April 28, 2011 on the eve of the Royal wedding. Britain's Prince William is to marry his fiancee Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. Getty Images

Left: Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria (R) and the Duke of Vastergotland arrive for a pre-wedding dinner ahead of the wedding of Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London April 28, 2011. Reuters Pictures

Right: Greece's Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal arrive for a pre-wedding dinner ahead of the wedding of Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London April 28, 2011.

Pictured Left: Greece's Queen Anne-Marie arrives for a pre-wedding dinner ahead of the wedding of Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London April 28, 2011. Reuters Pictures

Pictured Right: Spain's Queen Sofia waves as she arrives for a pre-wedding dinner ahead of the wedding of Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London April 28, 2011. Reuters Pictures

Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives for a pre-wedding dinner ahead of the wedding of Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London April 28, 2011. Reuters Pictures

Florists deliver flowers to Westminster Abbey in London, during preparations for the upcoming royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Britain's Prince William, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Prince William will marry Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey on April 29. AP Photo

Onlookers and revelers camping in front of Westminster Abbey overcrowd a walkway in London, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Revelers are camping out outside the Abbey where Prince William and Kate Middleton are due to get married on Friday, April 29. AP Photo

Photo: Mario Testino & Art Partner

http://www.etonline.com/royalwedding/110186_JUST_IN_Prince_William_Kate_Middleton_s_Official_Program_Photo/index.html

Tonight, the world's royals gathered at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London for a pre-wedding gala celebration. Although the bride and groom, Catherine Middleton and Prince William of Wales, were tucked away safely out of public view, practically everyone else was there. Princesses from around the world put on their shiny new gowns, although sadly no tiaras were sighted.

engaged Prince William

Here, we don’t have Independence Day or Thanksgiving. We don’t have a version of Australia Day, and our religious festivals are swept up in commercialism. In England, we don’t really even celebrate St. George’s Day, as the Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; and we don’t have Burns’ Night or Hogmanay. In fact, in England especially, but throughout most of Britain, we don’t really have anything that celebrates who we are....

Except when it comes to Royal events! And wow! Has this wedding captured the nation...and we do this so well!! Please forgive a little Englishness/Britishness tonight but of all the royal occasions in my lifetime (the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana), tomorrow seems to not only continue a link in a chain dating back to the processions of the Victorian era, but also to have created something quite new.

Seeing children Maypole dancing in red, white and blue; the shops bedecked with bunting, and the people who camp out all night for a glimpse of the procession, the historical link is so apparent. It could be any celebration from any era when royal visits and occasions were celebrated. My grandmother spoke of King Edward VII coming to Leeds in 1908 and what she, as a schoolchild, did was no different from what children in schools all over Britain have been doing today. The new part, however, is that I don’t think that (in my lifetime) there has been a royalty who inspired such sincere and genuine affection as Prince William. Perhaps it is because the country mourned the death of his mother, that we kind of took him and Prince Harry to our hearts in a way that is quite unique...more likely it is because he has shown himself to be all that could be wished for in a prince: the common touch with the dignity and mystique of royalty; the ability to empathise with ordinary folk and yet to remain a Prince.

And Kate....well, everyone seems to be claiming a part of her right now so I will stick in the oar for the Leeds connection! Her ancestors gave their name to an area of the city (Middleton) and were part of the philanthropic founders of this northern place.

There is so much excitement throughout the country – such a sense of celebration - and it seems like everyone is not only wishing this lovely couple well, but also being so grateful for this opportunity to celebrate who we are as a nation. You have to admit the inch perfect placement of the knives and forks and glasses on the tables, the perfect timing of the processions and the carefully measured placement of every guard along the route is really rather wonderful! Just for tonight and tomorrow, I am so very proud to be English/British...and as night falls the song from ‘Camelot ‘ comes to mind:

“I wonder what the King is doing tonight?” For ‘King’ read ‘future king’....

I know what my people are thinking tonight,
As home through the shadows they wander.
Ev'ryone smiling in secret delight,
They stare at the castle and ponder.
Whenever the wind blows this way,
You can almost hear ev'ryone say:

I wonder what the king is doing tonight?
What merriment is the king pursuing tonight?
The candles at the court, they never burned as bright.
I wonder what the king is up to tonight?
How goes the final hour
As he sees his bridal bower
Being regally and legally prepared?
Well, I'll tell you what the king is doing tonight:
He's scared! He's scared!

You mean that a king who fought a dragon,
Hacked him in two and fixed his wagon,
Goes to be wed in terror and distress?
Yes!
A warrior who's so calm in battle
Even his armor doesn't rattle
Faces a woman petrified with fright?
Right!

You mean that appalling clamoring
That sounds like a blacksmith hammering
Is merely the banging of his royal knees?
Please!

You wonder what the king is wishing tonight?
He's wishing he were in Scotland fishing tonight!
What occupies his time while waiting for the bride?
He's searching high and low for some place to hide.
And oh, the expectation,
The sublime anticipation
He must feel about the wedding night to come.
Well, I'll tell you what the king is feeling tonight:
He's numb!
He shakes!
He quails! He quakes!
And that's what the king is doing tonight.

I’ll bet he is!! But he needn’t be...we love him!

Royal Weddings in History Today.

Prince William and Prince

PRINCE WILLIAM ANNOUNCES

Contrary to some reports, William and Kate were expected to spend last night together there before Kate moves into the nearby Goring Hotel in Belgravia today.

The couple have lived together at a rented farmhouse on in the island of Anglesey for the last year and friends said they saw no reason to be apart for any longer than necessary.

In line with tradition, however, Kate will spend her last night as an unmarried woman apart from the groom. Although she was offered the pick of palace apartments in which to stay, family-orientated Kate has opted to stay in the five-star Goring Hotel with her parents, Michael and Carole, sister Pippa and brother James.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1381168/Royal-Wedding-Kate-Middleton-Prince-Williams-final-rehearsal-Westminster-Abbey.html#ixzz1KmFnMlmz

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St John's College Cambridge in eastern England, on April 27 2011, to attend a lunch and reception to mark the 500th Anniversary of the College. The Queen's grandson Prince William will marry his fiancee Kate Middleton at London's Westminster Abbey on April 29. Getty Images

Photo: Dawn patrol: Two mounted officers ride past sailors lining the route to Parliament Square

Photo: To the Palace: A sergeant major looks on as three mounted officers make their way towards Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

Hundreds of soldiers, sailors and airmen today had their last chance to practise for Friday's Royal Wedding in a dress rehearsal that started before dawn and continued into daybreak.

The full-scale walk-through was timed down to the last second - with military leaders well aware that the world will be expecting them to make sure everything goes smoothly on the big day.

So nothing was left to chance with the dry run which began at around 4.50am - after soldiers had gathered as early as 2am - and continued for hours.

Kate Middleton drove from her family home in West Berkshire this morning dressed in a demure cream suit. It is likely she will only return to her parent's house as a married woman.

Brother: Prince Harry

Prince William vs Prince Harry

Britain's Prince William serves on board HMS Iron Duke in a 2008 file photo. The picture is one of several released April 26, 2011 by Britain's Ministry of Defence, dating from the time Prince William served with the Royal Navy in 2008 - onboard HMS Iron Duke during Caribbean counter narcotics patrols, at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, and during his visit to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre where he underwent survival training. Reuters Pictures