My husband cannot understand why I would want to sit and watch the Royal Wedding and all the surrounding shenanigans for around 3 hours.
Conversely I’m the same when he switches on the TV for an afternoon of sport.
Regarding last Saturday though I’d given him advance warning.
“On the 19th May, just so you know, I’ll be watching the TV, and I don’t want any interruptions. I’ll be in charge of the remote. I won’t leave the couch except to go to the loo, and if we don’t eat, well I’m really not worried. Just saying.”
The allotted time came. I sat down in front of the TV. Arms crossed. And … NADA!
The universe had slapped me in the face for being so bold. Or something 😉
There was no TV signal. None whatsoever.
I will admit to you lovely Lifestylers, but nobody else, that a mild panic set in. Not so much mild, I would say but fevered.
“How can this happen? The only blimmin thing I’ve really wanted to watch in a year, and there’s no TV signal!” I may have uttered much stronger words than this, and Dave, bless him, realised that if he wanted a happy life he’d better do something to keep a happy wife.
“The only thing I’ve wanted to watch. The ONLY!” I kept ranting, before returning to the office to watch the small screen on my laptop where I’d set up some kind of iView which had loads and loads and loads of bloody Ads.
“You can’t watch THAT!” He exclaimed as I sat glued to my laptop. So with much ‘crying in a bucket’ from him, and wailing from me, we finally – like at the midnight hour, managed to get ABC iView set up and working in the lounge. It was a close call. We were barely speaking. He because he thought I was being ridiculous. Me because I couldn’t believe that the ffffff TV could let me down at the midnight hour.
My lovely husband then proceeded to up the ante, and he put together a delicious smorgasbord of cheese and biscuits and pickles, with a very nice (large) glass of Chardy which I practically threw down my throat in one go.
After that I settled down, and I settled in … and oh my. What a wedding it was!
What did you think?
I watched Diana’s wedding and then Kate’s and I’m a right Royal-royal-watcher so I loved this one too and everything about it. But just so you know I’m not all cheesey, here’s what was running through my head … in my opinion …
I felt so sad for Meghan that she walked down part of the aisle on her own, although perhaps this was a strong woman feminist statement.
I thought her Mum looked anxious and wistful rather than jubilant – and very lonely there on her own 🙁 I really felt for her and briefly wondered how must it feel to have your daughter marry someone so rich and famous. Because let’s face it, money and power can smooth the path to happiness but it’s not guaranteed.
Does Doria have a nose stud? I know – why not? But I thought, Oh heck! Queen Victoria must have turned (at least once) in her grave. As I watched I thought how this wedding really is bringing the establishment firmly into the 21st Century.
I loved all the fashions but didn’t really covet any of the dresses. Having said that I loved Kitty Spencer’s green dress with a print which looked like a garden.
Oh the pageantry and the white horses, the uniforms and handsome young princes – just awwwww.
I though (gorgeous) Mrs Clooney looked like she loved herself a bit too much, while looking at him I loved dapper George rather a lot.
Does Victoria Beckham not know how to smile?
Should an Oscar go to the American bishop? The wry grins amongst the Royals and guests as he went on and on and on and on, I thought were priceless 😉
Was there a stage when Meghan silently wished he’d shut up?
What were Harry and William talking about as they stood waiting for the bride to arrive? There seemed to be some tongue in cheek brotherly banter.
What did you think of Meghan’s dress? I loved it’s simplicity, but I didn’t think it was uber magnificent – but I’ve read that according to etiquette she would have been advised not to upstage Kate’s wedding dress – Kate being the future Queen of England and all. Really?
I loved Meghan’s barely there make-up, her grace and poise, and I adore her pixie smile.
From the few shots we saw of the Queen, I thought she didn’t look hugely impressed by the proceedings at all. Maybe she just needed a nice big glass of Pimms.
What did you think?
Mother daughter outfits you might want to share
LOL!!! “and Dave, bless him, realised that if he wanted a happy life he’d better do something to keep a happy wife.”
I loved the wedding.I’m not a royal but I do love a good wedding and as a “Suits” fan I was keen to see this one. I’m secretly a Harry and Wills fan too. Anyway, we all watched it as a family. Actually, if truth be know, my daughter and I watched it but I guess the hubby and son were on their devices all the way through it.
Lol! Yes, I can imagine some were more engaged than others. At the end of the day it is a bit of a chick-flick kind of thing. All those white horses and a prince in shining armour.
I didn’t watch it but of course I saw bits on the news and I loved Meghan’s natural makeup look too, so lovely!
Di from Max The Unicorn
I actually hadn’t planned to watch it and was OVER the whole thing weeks before the actual wedding, but did find myself checking social media on the night just to see some pics! It’s more addictive than one expects! #teamlovinlife
Ha, Deb – it is addictive – the whole darn shaboodle is!
I only intended to watch a little of the royal wedding, but ended up watching from beginning to end. Loved watching the celebs arrive and seeing the fashions – a couple of which I thought looked like they didn’t own a full length mirror or they wouldn’t have chosen what they wore. Loved the loving looks between Harry and Meghan. Her dress was kind of plain and the veil a tad long I thought, but it all looked wonderful and the photos afterwards were amazing. I just wish she’d have managed her hair a bit better – that stray bit that kept falling into her face, just detracted from the look I thought. I really loved her mother’s outfit – very classy indeed. The gospel choir singing in that ancient building echoed a real change to tradition but very welcome. All in all, a lovely day for those lucky enough to have been invited or those on the outside making the most of an historic moment.
Ahh, thanks for all your thoughts and comments Irene 🙂 I loved reading them.
Lovely flowers decorating the chapel. Did not think the dress fitted correctly in the underarms. Couture should fit like a glove not wrinkled. The brides and bridesmaids flowers looked green and yellow on tv. Plus one bridesmaid did not wear her crown, Ms Mulroney. She is the daughter of the show off Jessica Mulroney who released photos of her evening reception too low cut golden gown. Due to one bridesmaid taking the brides flowers she did not have a bouquet.? My daughter is a florist and saw these as very poor planning. A regular florist would not forget these matters. The bridesmaids dress were too wide and too long. Where were their white tights? Where was the rest of the wedding cake? Surely six hundred could not eat from those four cakes. I know the rustic icing was planned but did not look well on gold plates. Never put unedidible flowers on any food.
But the worst error was not taking care of the bride’s father from the beginning of the announcement of the engagement. There was time to protect him and shepherd him through the press coverage. That mistake was inexcusable to me.
Hi Nancy, I loved your observations. I know, you have to wonder about the shenanigans that went on behind the scenes (or not) with her father.
It was just wonderful to watch wasn’t it Jo, so glad you didn’t miss it after all. Our TV has a habit of “glitching” and pixellating/dropping out/buffering (not sure what it is) but it just freezes on a picture for a second or two – it’s only happened since we’ve had digital so must be something to do with that. Of course it NEVER happens during the ads, only when you really want to watch something or catch a particular sentence!!!!
They have a mind of their own, don’t they Janet. Oh well I suppose it’s better having a bit of buffering than in the old days when the tube used to ‘blowout’ – do you remember that?
Oh dear. We solved the different TV needs by becoming a more than one tv couple some time ago. I indulged the foxtel channels as well as the free to air. I loved the whole event but most of all the obvious love they have for each other. Magical. PS two tvs..great plan!! Saves a marriage.
I think that is a very good idea Denyse. We cut down to just one car, but maybe we need to go up to two TV’s!
As we live off the grid we don’t bother turning the telly on instead we watch all things Netflix so I knew nothing of the drama going on with the wedding and I still don’t. This made it all the more wonderful to watch and I loved every minute. There are so few positives with living off the grid but this was one.
Wow, Kooky Chic, I admire you living off the grid. I’m sure it’s not easy, but it’s admirable.
I LOVE a royal wedding – we’d been in Perth and I thought I’d be back in time, but managed to miss the first half (grrrrr) so watched the last half and went back and watched the rest on catch up TV (gotta love the internet). I watched Diana’s and Kate’s too – and my husband doesn’t get it either. I thought her dress was lovely – she had to walk a fine line between being a divorcee, meeting all the etiquette rules for a royal church wedding, and keeping some of her own taste in the mix. Loved the tiara, loved the floral arch on the church entry, loved how in love they looked, love her ring, just a lot to love all round. Glad you didn’t miss it after all x
Glad you loved it all as much as I did Leanne xx
My favourite outfits were Amal Clooney’s and Victoria Beckhams. I ended up scouring the net for post wedding analysis and the satirical take on the ceremony the morning after. Had too many Bellinis as I was actually watching on YouTube..
SSG xxx
Haha Sydney Shop Girl, I love that you had too many Bellinis!!
I love this post! And I loved your “Right royal royal watcher” – I count myself in that group too, but really mostly for weddings and funerals, lol.
Lol Sue, yes me – mostly for the big occasions, but I can be lured in by almost anything really!
I loved Kitty Spencer’s dress, thought the girls from Suits looked spectacular & loved that Harry had a tear. I felt the same as you re her Mum & wondered just how overwhelming that would be. As for Victoria Beckham? Don’t get me started.
Yes, it was sooo pretty hey Jo? I also loved that Harry was a little emotional. Oh me too, what is Victoria Beckham hoping to achieve with that stony gaze.
Thank goodness for iView and I’m so glad you didn’t miss it! I was watching and here’s some of my thoughts. I was at first underwhelmed by her dressed and a bit shocked. I was expecting beading and more embellishments. I did love the style of the dress though, and its simplicity, however I felt it was a bit big on her and needed to be fitted better. Loved her barely there makeup and how she had her hair. Loved the choir and the cello player. That preacher guy was too much for me. I had to get up and walk away for a while. I agree that Amal loves herself a bit much. Victoria Beckham really needs to smile now and then. She looks so sour. Bee and Eugenie were a bit boring I thought – nothing exciting about their outfits or hats. I too loved Kitty Spencer’s dress, hair, whole look – she’s beautiful! Loved the banter between Will and Harry and the little intimate looks and smile between Harry and Meghan. Loved the natural archway of leaves and flowers on the entry to the chapel. Overall, I loved the wedding and wish them every happiness together! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Hi Min, thanks for all your observations. I loved reading them and was nodding my head throughout. I hope they have a very long and happy marriage too 🙂
So good you ended up seeing the wedding after all! I love watching royal weddings too, something my husband doesn’t really understand either.
And I totally agree that the Queen didn’t look impressed or happy at all! I felt a bit sorry for Meghan to be so alone with only her mum there from her side of the family.
I know Ingrid, I don’t think the men get that romanticised comoraderie that perhaps we feel. Glad you enjoyed it too!
I didn’t watch it. I also didn’t get why her mum didn’t walk her down the aisle. That was a little odd to me. But from what I saw in the photos all over the internet the next day, it looked lovely. (I also don’t get why everyone gets in Victoria Beckhams face about smiling. It’s like those creepy weirdos that come up to you in the street and tell you to smile. I hate them! Bleaugh)
Hi Lydia, I’d never thought of Victoria Beckham’s non smiley face in that way. I guess if she doesn’t want to smile, then why should she?
Oh no, what a disaster! Luckily your knight in shining armour came to your rescue. Men are sometimes very useful for these sorts of things! Despite telling everyone I wasn’t going to watch the royal wedding, I sat glued for the entirety and I agree with all of your observations. I thought everyone looked spectacular and Meghan absolutely classical and elegant (in an Audrey Hepburn type of way).
Haha, Kathy I didn’t think you’d be watching, but glad you enjoyed it 🙂
So pleased you made it in the end! Ah, so many thoughts on the royal wedding! Of course I watched it – who doesn’t love a good romance and a big celebration, and they looked so happy and in love! Bless their cotton socks. Loved the modern take on the tradition, especially the choir and Stand by Me, the veil was amazing, a little underwhelmed by the dress (may have been intentional to play the keep it simple card, but it could have been nipped in a bit), but the hair strand drove me to distraction!! Egad! I know, I know, look at the bigger picture. Her Mum did look happy – and lonely. The Queen’s outfit was the bomb as well! Rocking those colours in her 90s! And the silly dad missed a pretty gigantic moment. What a pity for him. But all in all a bit of frothy sport for the weekend! Good luck to them both.
Hi Christine, I know, a lovely romance a big celebration and some girlie ‘fairytale’ TV – couldn’t be better! Oh yes wasn’t the gospel rendition of Stand by Me wonderful. So many great modern takes to balance the tradition. I haven’t thought about the hair strand until now, but you’re right!
Hehe I gave hubby the same warning that I was taking over the remote and he’d have to fend for himself for dinner. Luckily both he and our telly complied and I enjoyed the telecast in peace. I loved that they had a seat for Diana but was disappointed the Charles, Camilla and Catherine were all looking the other direction when the vows were being exchanged and all eyes should have been on the happy couple. I loved the touching sentiment of leaving her bouquet on the grave of the unknown soldier. I never knew this was a royal tradition and did similar st my wedding a year after my Father passed and placed my bouquet on his grave.
Oh Lyn you made me laugh – I can just see Steve looking all downtrodden like Dave was with that edict! Yes, I agree with your observations and I didn’t know they left her bouquet on the grave of the unknown soldier. So lovely that you placed yours on your Father’s grave too – such a compassionate and loving gesture.
I was up at 3AM for the 4 AM broadcast. I had 6 to 8 channels to choose from! But I chose to watch BBC America, so exactly at 4 AM the screen went blank. It went black. No sound. I had a whole dictionary of expletives deleted, before I changed channels to find the others had already started! A little while later I went back to BBC America and the feed was back! Whew.
You chose my favorite hat, which was Kitty Spencer’s and I loved her dress too. Elegant and simple. I also loved Doria’s simple mint coat with the flowers embroidered on the bottom of it. And yes she did have a nose stud.
I loved Bishop Curry’s engaging speech, both the theme and the delivery. When he though folks weren’t paying attention, he asked them the question again and this time to nod their heads! England has never seen such a sermon. He did realize he was overtime and said he better hurry up and get these two married! But the message of the power of love, not just for the royal two, but for the power of lover for thy neighbor and the power of redemptive love for the world was delivered with just energy and enthusiasm that it will live for a long time.
I loved the idea of Meghan’s veil and all the hand embroidery and found a list online of the flower chosen from each commonwealth. She also included the California poppy.
I went back to the Royal Wedding on Sunday and discovered a new feature on my remote. It is an audio feature, which I had used previously. But this time when I asked for the Royal Wedding it went out to the Web and found short video clips on specific items, like the wedding cake, the tiara, the veil, a collage of the hats. What a delight this was. I didn’t have to watch another 3 hours, some one else had put together in depth clips for me!
Hi Lucy, I loved your story of the day – it was a little like mine except thankfully I didn’t have to be up before I went to bed like you!!! Those in depth clips sound fabulous – yes, probably much better than watching for 3 hours, but the thing is, people like us just wouldn’t be able to take the chance and wait would we! Yes, Bishop Curry was inspiring, and I would agree that England has probably never seen such an energetic and enthusiastic sermon. It was inspiring.
Definitely NOT the usual “Establishment” wedding, but modern and beautiful. I loved her dress but thought the veil over the face was odd as they have been “living together” for months. She definitely wasn’t a “virgin bride” and he already knew what he was getting! I would like to have seen Charles walk her from the car and up the aisle, after all so many steps , he should have been a “Gentleman” even though she is an independent woman. I am- but still enjoy being treated like a lady by my husband and 2 sons. The looks on the faces of the Royal family kept me amused. I hope it works out and they have a long and happy marriage.
Hi Beryl, thanks for your thoughts. Yes, absolutely agree. And it’s time for a change when it comes to the establishment. Diana did her bit and the changes she enforced basically also helped produce two lovely, compassionate young men. I also hope that Meghan and Harry have a long and very happy marriage.
That’s exactly how I preempted my viewing –
Well I leave you in peace to watch 20 odd burly men running around a field after a ball for 2 hours, so please leave me in peace for this little bit of fluffy girly romanticism…
Although funnily… I did catch my husband furtively, surreptitiously, glancing across with a little more interest than he’d want to be known for haha!!
Her walking down half the aisle on her own was indeed a stance for feminism – No one gives the groom away – so why should the bride be?!!
I particularly loved the multi-multiculturalism of the event – Those gospel singers were fabulous 😀
Hi Linda, Oh, that’s funny. Wish we could have been together wagging our fingers! Yes Dave also had a little watch, but kept pretty quiet because – well, just well! Yes, such old worn out traditions. Why does a girl have to be given away. A man just claims his bride and goes his merry way. Me too … the multiculturalism was wonderful and I thought they balanced it all so well. Hearing the haunting deep melody of the gospel singers doing modern, and then the pure voices of the choirboys singing traditional hymns was beautiful ying and yang I thought.