A Trip Down the Garden Path

Ok, that title is a bit of an exaggeration. It was really my eyes looking into a cardboard periscope thingy above the heads of five rows of people as the Windsors and co. zoomed past in their shiny grey non-descript Bentleys, and of course the odd horse dawn carriage or two.

What an atmosphere. One of the local magazines was giving away free flags, and pay tv had produced cardboard periscopes complete with real mirrors. So almost everyone had something to wave and some way to see. You can imagine the sea of Union Jacks that greeted the royals on the way to and from the Abbey.

We arrived at about 8:30 in the morning and it was already pretty crazy. People rushing to the ellusive perfect spot', which proved futile since some had been camped out at the front for up to 3 days! So we were happy with our spot 5 rows back, on the step of the footpath, down from Westminster. 

We didn't have to wait long before cars started zooming by, the back windows darkened, to obviously hide the identity of guests. More cars and buses.  Then.... the royals! Here are a few of our best shots, taken by photographer Glen:

The Queenie!

The beautiful bride!

 It was great that the ceremony was broadcast in the streets. It made the waiting a whole lot more bearable. Huge cheers when the vows were exchanged and lots of singing along to the the hymns and songs.  I thought it was pretty special that the royals were willing to share this event with the whole nation. Some would say that they have an obligation to do so, being leaders of the people and destined to live a public life anyway.  Yet it could have been easy for them to organise a very private affair. I know, I know, the tourism boost, revenue raiser and all the rest of it.  But still, it was nice that the whole world was invited to witness this special occasion, through some means or another.  Everyone loves a wedding, don't they?

Here are some good pic of their departure from the Abbey, heading down Whitehall, then Pall Mall, to Buckingham Palace.

Soldiers to begin the royal procession

The married couple     The parents of the married couple, you can see Carole and Camilla All the pomp and pagentry And the balcony...

It was a lovely day, and well worth the hassle. Kate was even kind enough to let me try on her ring - what a darling!