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Posts Tagged ‘monarchy’

Partying Like a Commoner at Hyde Park

Posted in British History, Hyde Park, Monarchy, Pomp and Circumstance, Royal Wedding, Will and Kate, tagged , , , , , on May 1, 2011| 1 Comment »

Since I had scoped out the Mall and Buckingham Palace the night before, I knew there was no way I was going to get a glimpse of anything royal. Nonetheless, my plan was to descend into the crowd with a good spirit and a bottle of cava. In the morning I called my friend, Vanessa, and we decided to meet up at Hyde Park. St James Park was already full and Hyde Park promised jumbo screens of the events and port-a-loos.

Whether or not you agree with the monarchy and the royal family, it’s great to see everyone get together and celebrate. It’s nice to have a community vibe for at least a day in a big city where we are most often in each other’s way.

Hyde Park during the Royal Wedding

Straight off the plane with suitcase in tow.

There were people dressed in bridal gowns and tons of Will and Kate look a likes. Vanessa’s flatmates were well prepared with Will and Kate masks, the ring, and matching outfits. They were a huge hit with the rest of the crowd and you can see why.

The Kates

Re-enactment

Showing off the ring while Will lurks behind

I didn’t see much of the royal kiss from my position in Hyde Park. In fact, I bent down to fix my shoe and I missed the first kiss entirely. The jet flyover that accompanied the kiss was visible from Hyde Park and made everyone feel like part of the experience.

Jet flyover

Best of all, it didn’t even rain like the forecast predicted. I can’t wait to do it again for Harry’s wedding. I’m considering Will’s wedding a great practice run.

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Pilgrimage to the Royal Wedding

Posted in British History, buckingham palace, Events, Green Park, Landmark, Monarchy, Papparazi, Pilgrimage, Pomp and Circumstance, Royal Wedding, Victoria, Waiting, Wedding preparations, Will and Kate, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The night before the Royal Wedding, the Mall and Buckingham Palace were already packed with people who had flown across the world to sleep in a tent in a foreign country’s public park along side strangers. Their dedication made me envious. I knew it was impossible to sleep in a comfortable bed AND get a glimpse of the royal couple on their wedding day. You can guess which option I chose.

The dedicated hailed from many backgrounds with the Americans making a big showing. Also making a big showing were flags and pajamas.

Pajama Party along the Mall

These ladies were making it a Girl's Night Out

Home sweet home

Having a kip. (That means nap.)

This guy offered to trade me a cupcake for a kiss. Thanks, but I'm not hungry.

Country of Georgia, represent!

Texas girls, represent!

We all know why the souvenir shop owners are smiling.

Prepared for the big day.

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Evidence: London Royal Wedding Preparations

Posted in British History, buckingham palace, Green Park, Monarchy, Pomp and Circumstance, Royal Wedding, Wedding preparations, Will and Kate, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2011| 1 Comment »

I keep swearing that I’m not obsessed with Kate Middleton and the Royal Wedding but I’m starting to think that may not be true. As a foreigner, I find the pomp and circumstance and the entire concept of a monarchy utterly fascinating. But most of all, it’s downright impossible to ignore all the preparations going on around London for the big event. Here’s some photographic evidence of the massive effort to make it the perfect day for Kate and Will.

Flags hung over Regency Street near Piccadilly Circus.

It must be weird to have your face showing in every other window all over town.

Suspiciously nice looking flowers suddenly appear at Buckingham Palace. Accompanied by flags and supervisors.

Walking route through Green Park disrupted by massive tent structure.

Still a week and 4 days to go. I’ll do my best to post on something else during the next few weeks, but I can’t make too many promises!

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So you mean Queen Elizabeth II isn’t a Gemini?

Posted in British History, Events, Monarchy, Pomp and Circumstance, Summer, tagged , , , , , on September 6, 2010| 1 Comment »

It was the day of the Queen’s birthday parade and Joanna and I had been up the night before drinking too many bottles of wine and playing music videos which quickly turned into singing and dancing along to music videos. Our respective significant others were out of town, her kids were at grandma’s house and it all seemed a little necessary.

She was up early the next day to get her hair did and I was off to see the Queen. Kitschy yes, but I had to do it.

I put myself on the tube and headed down towards St James Park. I spotted some slightly hungover American girls across from me, and in British tradition, did not strike up a conversation or make eye contact during the ride. As soon as we were back in the sunshine and off towards the parade, I asked them if they were headed to see the Queen and if I could join them.

None of us knew where we were going but we figured anywhere with crowds was a good bet. Unfortunately, there were more crowds than we bargained for. We tried to position ourselves for the parade but had a very difficult time finding a place where we could actually see anything. We finally wedged ourselves into a spot with a partial view and waited. Every once in a while a horse or official looking person would march by and we’d get excited, but alas it was just a teaser.

“I’d pay about 10 quid for a cup of coffee right now” I moaned to one of the American girls. “Me too” she agreed.

Finally, some action.

Pomp and Circumstance

As we balanced from one tiptoe to the next, guards on horses, foot and with instruments passed by. “There’s Camilla!” someone shouted and I looked just in time to see her and one of the princes pass by in a carriage. Finally, the moment arrived and the queen was in sight.

The moment arrives.

I couldn’t help but be disappointed that she didn’t bother to wave or smile. She just sat there like a big grump being forced to be in a parade on her birthday when all she wanted to do was sleep in and eat pancakes.

I guess I can’t blame her – except that the birthday parade isn’t actually for her birthday at all. It’s a ceremony of British infantry regiments that has been going on since the 17th century. It’s held the second Saturday in June in St James Park and celebrates the beginning of the monarchy in it’s entirety.

The Queen’s actual birthday is April 21, 1926, making her a Taurus.

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