The launch of space shuttle Endevour was scrubbed today 29 April due to failure of a heater circuit in an Auxiliary Power Unit. In the meantime, on the other side of the world a nation celebrated what was called “The Wedding of the Century”
The Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton caught the attention of the world today. The crew of the International Space Station joined millions around the world offering best wishes to the new royal couple.
A large crowd gathered along the path of the royal procession bringing London to life. It was a spectacular display of royal glamour worthy of the occasion.
Careful planning and thorough practice ensured a precise performance of the royal court, the police and the innumerable people involved in making this event a success.
The groom, Prince William and his best-man and brother Harry, arrived at Westminster Abbey together wearing military uniforms. William wore his scarlet Colonel of the Irish Guard uniform with a crimson sash and a second blue sash featuring the Wings of the Royal Air Force, the Garter Star and the Golden Jubilee medal. Harry wore his navy uniform of Captain of the Household Cavalry.
After a short drive from Goring Hotel, Catherine, the bride, stepped out of her luxury car revealing her astonishingly elegant and timeless wedding dress designed by Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton. The white dress had lace sleeves and shoulders, a swagged train and a fine veil of chantilly lace held by a diamond tiara borrowed from the Queen.
As Catherine entered the abbey, she turned around to wave at the crowds that waited for days to see her; she also gestured goodbye at her former life to enter the world of royalty as she stepped into Westminster Abbey by the side of her father Michael Middleton.
The maid of honour, her younger sister Pippa, also caught the eye of the media as she astounded the world with her impeccable presence, wearing a long, cream silk gown as she assisted Catherine all along the ceremony, surrounded by the bridesmaids and pageboys.
The story in pictures
The Ring
The Welsh golden ring given to Prince William by the Queen, showed the last signs of resistance of the Royal House of Windsor in accepting the finger of a commoner. After some struggle, the groom managed to slide the ring into place and completed his vows of marriage.
The Lord Bishop of London summarized the meaning of matrimony in his advice to the couple:
“Be who god meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire; said St. Catherine of Siena, whose festival day it is today.
Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other become what God meant each one to be; their deepest and their truest selves.
This is a joyful day. This is, as every wedding day should be, a day of hope.
In a sense, every wedding is a royal wedding, with the bride and the groom as Queen and King of creation, making a new life together, so that life can flow through them into the future.”
Westminster Abbey looked its very best decorated with flowers and trees, filled with sumptuous music and wishes of happiness. The ceremony proceeded flawlessly to the very last minute. The newlyweds retired for their legal proceedings in private and later emerged from the Abbey to receive the warmest of welcomes from the multitude that gathered cheering their names.
A short ride on an open carriage took them to Buckingham Palace for a champagne reception and photograph session, after which they appeared at the balcony to salute the public and delighted the crowds with not only one but two kisses, scenes of which appeared on all papers around the world.
After the reception, the newlyweds surprised everyone again, leaving Buckingham palace with Prince Williams behind the wheel of his father’s blue Aston Martin while his colleagues from the air rescue service, hovered in a helicopter swinging the flag of his unit.
In June 2008, at the request of The Prince of Wales, who is keen that his cars should be run on sustainable fuel, the Aston Martin DB6 was converted to run on E85 bioethanol, made from English wine wastage.
It was a day to remember that will pass to posterity as one of the happiest in the calendar of 2011.
How it all started, in the words of the protagonists
An interview with Prince William and Kate Middleton soon after he proposed
THE NEWLYWEDS’ NEW TITLES
His new title: Prince William Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.
Prince William is second in the line of succession, behind his father Charles, Prince of Wales.
Her new title: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.
She is to be addressed as “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.” Because she does not have royal or aristocratic background, she has no title of her own and cannot be addressed as “Princess Catherine.” Only Queen Elizabeth can grant her a royal title, which would change the way she might be addressed.
PIPPA STOLE THE SHOW
Pippa (Philippa) Middleton, the bridesmaid and younger sister of Catherine was said to have “stolen the show” at the Royal Wedding as her presence was unmissable during the ceremony.
Her curvaceous figure wrapped by a perfectly fitting cream outfit made by Sarah Burton was in the centre of view of all cameras around the world as she followed her sister when they entered Westminster Abbey. Later in the ceremony she was seen very busy with her duties taking the spotlight in front of everyone. She exchanged smiles with Prince Harry as they walked along the isle and later at the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The media didn’t waste any time and gave her the name of “Her Royal Hotness,” appearing in every fashion and gossip magazine around the world. They even said that her popularity surpassed that of her sister Catherine.
Since then she is followed by photographers everywhere she goes, even when she tries to lead a regular life and go to work at “Table Talk,” a London party planning business, where she edits the online magazine for her family’s business “Party Pieces.”
References
¤ “A royal wedding: What a pair!” (2011). Russia.ic. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 30 April 2011).¤ Byrne, A. (2011). “Pippa Middleton's Party Gown Is Gorgeous in Green” People. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 30 April 2011).
¤ “Catherine Middleton leaves Goring Hotel” (2011). Global-TV. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 29 April 2011).
¤ Marino, M. (2011) “Prince William Royal Wedding Uniform: Colonel of the Irish Guards.” Fashion etc [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 29 April 2011).
¤ “No ponies for a princess: Royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton will take car rather than fairytale horse-drawn carriage to wedding” (2011). Daily Mail. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 29 April 2011).
¤ “Royal Wedding: William and Kate wed” (2011). The Guardian. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 29 April 2011).
¤ “The Royal Wedding” (2011). The Royal Channel. [Online]. Available here. (Accessed: 29 April 2011).
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