POMMIE POMP & CEREMONY

Whether you’re a Royalist, Monarchist, raving Republican or couldn’t give a toss either way, it was pretty nigh impossible to avoid focusing on the royal wedding today, though how it was dubbed the wedding of the century has me stumped. I mean, an awful lot of people are going to get married in the space of a hundred years, and I imagine a few others would like to share the limelight.

But as they say, there’ll always be an England, and in true teddibly British style, the Royals turned on the pomp and ceremony to show all of us out in the colonies just how it’s done. And all credit to them, they certainly did it in style, giving the British public something to celebrate and smile about for a change.

Listening to the ABC while in the car, early in the morning London time, it was fascinating to hear how many people had actually travelled from overseas specifically to be part of the crowd for what they felt was a once in a lifetime experience. Bit over the top I thought, but judging by the interviews in the crowd the whole event seemed to galvanise the wee poor common people into just getting out and having fun together.

Reminded me a bit of what Sydney was like during the 2000 Olympics. Somehow the normal barriers between people disappear, and total strangers talk to each other freely simply by being caught up in the event. Street parties galore were held in conjunction with the event, even the tellers at my bank were sporting their ‘jools’ and tiaras and crowns to mark the occasion. There’s something to be said for letting our hair down and celebrating a little, leaving the confines of our own four walls to engage with each other. Who knows, given the right impetus it could even be the start of creating new connections within a community.

And as far as the wedding itself, Kate looked beautiful, lovely dress, radiant smile. I think maybe William would’ve felt more comfortable flying his helicopter than being the centre of attention, as those same shy downcast eyes so reminiscent of his mother seemed to indicate, but he pulled it off with grace and much attentiveness to his new bride. I wish them well and trust they’ll be left alone enough to have some sort of semblance of a normal life.

Tiaraless, dressed in my old trackies and ugg boots, I toasted them with a braised cucumber and tomato toasted sandwich, my variation on the royal garden party staple, and a cup of herbal tea, sorry not Earl Grey.

Thanks ABC and Southern Cross TV for the pics courtesy of the BBC.