Wishing Prince William and Kate Middleton every happiness for their forthcoming marriage... and just wondering if we will get a national holiday as we did on 29th July 1981 when Prince Charles and Lady Diana married...? I suspect not, as William is only heir to the heir of the throne, as opposed to Charles who was heir.
It's being said that her name will be changed from Kate to Princess Catherine - I hope the poor girl is more able to cope with the Paparazzi than Princess Diana was. From this day forward her life will change beyond recognition - imagine the security, the duty. She seems to be incredibly elegant, which I suppose one might expect for a princess, but she has no royal connections or lineage. On the other hand, she's hardly a 'bit of rough'. She did attend one of England's top public schools - Marlborough College in Wiltshire. Her parents are self made millionaires. In fact I used to buy all their produce when my children were little - they run a childrens' party company. Every year they used to send me a reminder that it was their birthdays... as if I needed that!
Although I don't consider myself a Royalist, it was touching to see Kate wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring. I also think it will be a tall order for her, filling Princess Diana's shoes. I don't think the royal family will expect that, but I think the great British public might... I still remember the amazing national outpouring of grief after Diana's funeral, it was surreal. They have been looking for a replacement ever since. Still, I'm sure she's considered that, and the pros clearly outweigh the cons - well I'm sure that's what I would think!
I remember Charles and Diana's wedding as if it only happened five years ago, and what a wonderful day of partying and revelry (euphemism!) there was all over the country. I was in my early twenties and living in Oxford at the time. We did watch most of the wedding, but also attended several parties. Everyone had woeful hangovers the next day...
It's being suggested that the possible date may be 13th August 2011, to fit in with the royal calendar. As yet unclear where the ceremony will be held. The future King will probably have to marry in London, so St Paul's (where Charles and Diana were married) or Westminster Abbey (where the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were married, and where Diana's funeral was held) are high probabilities. There is also the possibility of a smaller, more private affair at Windsor Castle I suppose, which is only just outside London, and would be a certain demonstration of reducing pomp and circumstance in these harsh economic times.
I don't suppose I'll be invited to photograph the occasion... shame, I'm reasonably priced, could save them a lot of money and impress the nation.
