Notes On A Royal Wedding

Is it the beginning of something or the end of something or just a jolly big knees up?
History seems to be being made, but God only knows what it all means.

I don't remember anything about the wedding of Wills and Kate- which makes me think it wasn't very memorable. This seems somehow much bigger, more popular- all that sort of thing. Is that because Harry and Meghan are more fun? Or because of the transatlantic element?

Wills and Kate are more important of course- or are they? What counts for more in 2018- herditary right or media celebrity?

What a guest list. Not only British royalty but Hollywood royalty too. And some real wild cards- Idris Elba, James Corden.

"There's Princess Anne in her dressing gown," says Ailz.

My mother calls from the TV room. "What's this I'm watching?" She repeats the question at intervals.

Windsor Castle is a Walter Scott era notion of what a medieval castle should look like. It doesn't convince.

The 1950 Rolls Royce Phantom bombs up the drive. "Here comes the frock," says Ailz.

Notes On A Royal Wedding 2

Anagram alert: The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in a car with the registration: KLL 1

The Queen is in lime green. The Duke- only days out of the operating theatre- has the use of his legs.

Here comes the frock. Very chaste. The veil is supported by two little boys called Moloney or Maloney. One of them has a front tooth missing.

The most gorgeously dressed person in the procession is the Dean of Windsor. No-one mentions this. But that's one hell of a cope.

The look that Harry gives Meghan as she comes into view is the look of a man in love. No mistaking it. Yes, at the heart of all this carry-on is something real.

Oh and then there's Bishop Mike. He has his notes on an i-pad. And he preaches about Love. This is real too. He cites Solomon and Dr King and Teilhard de Chardin (Prince Charles will know who Chardin was), calls Jesus a revolutionary and talks about World Peace (but means it). The Queen shuffles and looks cross or is that just what I would expect her to do and I'm projecting? An opportunity has been taken to speak truth to the rich and powerful. I like Bishop Mike.

I've never been round Windsor Castle. What a lovely building St George's Chapel is.

The Gospel choir sings "Stand By Me". That goes nicely with Bishop Mike's sermon.

Ailz says its the clasping of hands- not the vows or the rings- that clinches a marriage. If that's all you did you'd still have a legal contract- or so her vicar told her.

Charles is being very kind to Meghan's mother- making sure she feels included.

And now I've got chips to cook.

When I dodge back into the TV room its all carriages and uniforms and brilliant sunshine....

Turned out nice again.

Notes On The Royal Wedding 3

I had said I wouldn't watch it but I did.

It was the prettiest Royal Wedding ever. The weather had a lot to do with that.

Royal taste has improved since Lady Di went to her wedding dressed as a cream puff. Do you regret the 80s? I don't.

Ailz tells me Meghan is the first ever Duchess of Sussex. There have been Dukes before but they were bachelors. And short-lived.

It will take some processing- this interlacing of the royal and celebrity cultures. What does it mean that Oprah Winfrey was invited and Donald Trump wasn't? Elton was in the congregation but not asked to tickle the ivories. The queen took a back seat; Charles didn't. Has Meghan- and what she stands for- been absorbed into the Firm or is she the thin end of a wedge?

I have this suspicion that when the old Queen dies the Monarchy will break apart in a cloud of diamond dust.

My sister rang. This conversation ensued.

My Sis: Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

My Mother: Oh yes,

M.S.: Did you enjoy it?

M.M.: Not particularly.

M.S.: Not particularly!?

M.M.: Well it wasn't very exciting...