They're still "Wills & Kate" to me!

Oh wow!  The royal wedding was truly something.  I'm sure it was amazing seeing it on telly (if you had been bothered to watch it at all...!)  But it was one of the most thrilling days to be there in person!

Some of you may know that I was looking forward to seeing the wedding - leading up to my departure from Australia I made many a joke of being Kate's bridesmaid (...I wish with that gorgeous gown that Phillipa wore!)  And my excitement for the wedding was not because I am a die-hard monarchist but just simply to be part of something really special that the whole world could experience at the same time.  And I can say, it was nothing short of SPECTACULAR!!!

Flag mania on The Mall!

Teagan and I dragged ourselves out of bed on the morn of the four-day weekend and made our way to Green Park by 7 o'clock.  We were given lots of free, dodgy merchandise, inlcuding a 'Blighty' (AKA another term for Brits) periscope and made our way through the park to The Mall.  We based ourselves against the railing so that we could stand up on it as cars and carriages passed by (even though both of us are fairly tall anyway!)  Thankfully we did make the effort to go that early - not because we had trouble finding a 'good' spot, but because Green Park went into 'lockdown' where we weren't allowed to leave and come back until everything had finished.

Me getting all royal and slightly Blighty

Although you may have got loads of media attention on all the Australians that were there to see the proceedings, Teagan and I managed to surround ourselves with locals.  It was fabulous to hear their thoughts about the couple and the royal family (and history of previous royal weddings and general rulings).  Yet EVERY ONE in the crowd was genuinely happy that this event was occurring.  There was an incredible sense of awe and reverence and anticipation in the air.  Mostly though there was just this giddy buzz... but maybe that was just me!!  We made a few 'betting' games while we waited for the day to begin including the colour that the Queen would be wearing.  The locals suggested that lately they had seen the Queen in lots of greens and yellows and so Teags put bets down on yellow (and I'm sure you know that's exactly what she wore!)

The Queen (in yellow) 

While we did not get to see the wedding while we were in the park, we did receive a PA service to hear the ceremony from Westminster Abbey.  It was so moving hearing the down-to-earth couple exchange their vows to each other.  The eruption of cheers when they were announced as man and wife was electric - with flags galore waving madly and people jumping up and down!

Upon the Royal Family's return down The Mall, we saw the carriages pass by, the royal guards prepare to return to the palace... and of course the Police Officers leading the 'commoners' down The Mall to the palace gates to see the couple on the balcony.  And this leads me to my most favourite part of the day... where Teags and I found an opening in the security fence (after following some media people) and joined the massive crowd charging down The Mall and were almost at the front!

Wills and Kate with their royal waves

Skipping down The Mall with the hoards of people

We were like puppies who had just got a box of cut up newspaper we were that excited!  So we skipped like school girls and squealed with uncontrollable delight that we were a part of the crowd.  And it only got better.  With every step that we took closer to the palace - we realised how special this truly was.  I still don't understand how we got so lucky to be so close but after slipping under the fence around the fountain (where all those media people were perched) we made it directly in front of Buckingham Palace gates - with an unobstructed view of the balcony.

For those minutes that we waited for them, I soaked up the atmosphere with all the cheers and excitement around me... (literally - there were so many people pressing all around me that there was sweat dripping down my back - eeeeww!! - even though it was a relatively cool day!)

Wills pointing out 'something' to Kate

The roar of people as they stepped out was so loud!  I loved seeing them continue to wave and smile the whole time... and of course to see those two lovely, yet brief kisses!

Direct view in through the front palace gates

And to paraphrase someone who I heard or read in the media, this beautiful couple seem to have found a way to keep their private life while in the public's eyes... which is why even though they now retain three different titles, they are still just Wills and Kate to me.

The Royal Family

So with chants of "kiss - kiss - kiss!!" still ringing in my ears, I made the slow journey back down The Mall but with much lighter steps... it wasn't hard to after a magical day such as that!

A wonderful day!

But until next time... Cheers!


See other Wills & Kate photos with this link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150166459104514.304651.502734513&l=06d6e7316d