My alarm never goes off early. I avoid the hours of early morning like the plague. However, when I found out that the royal wedding was going to be aired beginning at 4AM, I never batted an eye at waking up to watch.
On July 29, 1981, I was 7 years old. We were staying the weekend with my mom’s younger sister, Tempa. She was a new college graduate – so young and energetic – and had an apartment full of equally as lovely roommates. At 3AM, we all got up to watch as Prince Charles marry Diana Frances Spencer. The thought that a preschool teacher (what I wanted to be when I was a little girl) could grow up and marry a prince … ahhhh, it’s what the dreams of a 7 year olds are made of. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the television. The dress, the lllooonnnnngggg train, her iconic hairstyle – it was beautiful. It is one of – if not – the most vivid memory of my entire childhood.
Since that time, I have definitely been a royal watcher. Through both babies, the hardships of Diana’s life, and her unfortunate and untimely death, I have kept up with the royal family and remained intrigued with their lives and how they are changing as decades pass.
When the royal family announced the engagement of Catherine Middleton and Prince William, I was so excited. Another royal wedding – what could be any better? I’ll tell you … the fact that I have a 6 year old little girl with dreams of becoming a princess. That’s what could make this happy story even better.
So, at 4AM, the alarm went off. Piper had slept with me the night before, so that all we had to do was roll over and hit the remote. (We also DVR’d the event, but it’s not the same as watching it live.)
We watched with anticipation as each segment of the royal family came through the streets of London in fancy antique cars. We oooh’d and aaah’d at the hats. I gave a quick history lesson about each person and told Piper how they were related to the Prince or to Kate.
But, oh, Kate. She stole the show. Her dress was modest, yet so very charming. Just as I take her to be. I caught myself thinking many times “Diana would love her.” I can plainly see how William, who speaks so openly about how close he was to his mother, could fall for a girl such as her.
The ceremony was lovely, although Piper felt it was a little long. It did give her enough time to determine that she would like to/will be marrying a prince and that she would like her wedding to be televised. Neither of these surprise me, nor do I doubt that she couldn’t make these happen if she put her mind to it.
Quick, someone volunteer to help me find a hat!
We watched for as long as we could without being late for work or school. Luckily, that took us through the balcony and the first kiss. The end to a lovely morning and a great memory that I got to share with my daughter.
I so hope that society won’t destroy this marriage. I pray that this couple who appears so in love will remain true to one another and will have a long, joyful life together.
A fairytale … I wish for them to have a fairytale. Just as any Prince and Princess (or Duke and Duchess as it stands now) should.
