How I Got Royally Sucked In To The Wedding

World record attempt for Most Royals on a Balcony

I had spent weeks (ok, days) telling anyone who would listen that I wanted to do whatever I could to not watch the nuptials of the century…aka The Royal Wedding.

I knew this was going to be a hard task though, because I was off work, had no real plans for the day and knew that it would be being broadcast on pretty much every channel. So ‘innocently’ I flicked it on whilst having my breakfast, thinking “it’s ok, I’ll just have a laugh at the outfits of the arriving guests and switch it off”. How foolish I was. Once I had watched the z-list celebrities and foreign royalty with names I couldn’t understand, there began other landmarks I wanted to see. “Well, I may as well carry on watching until William turns up” I justified to myself. Then, of course, I just HAD to carry on watching until the Queen had showed up. And so it continued.

I am in no way a Royalist and not even a big fan of weddings…but I think it comes down to two things. One: the British sure know how to put on a party, and for that I am eternally proud and patriotic. Two: everyone enjoys a good love story. It is the one thing that can unite the world and bring a tear to the eye of even the coldest fish.

I had never thought of myself as being patriotic, but since I have met so many wonderful people who live in other countries, I have started to see my country and indeed my home town, through the eyes of others. I have started to become defensive if someone pokes fun at our customs and gestures and have started to revel in them even more myself. It is this feeling that I hope to carry with me on my travels next year, if only to spread some of this patriotism with some of the foreign travellers I meet and try and dispel the horrible stereotypes that some have of the British abroad.

I can honestly say though that there is one Brit today who will not be chanting “Long live the Queen!”……and that is poor Charles. Hang in there buddy, I’m sure your time will come at some point, hopefully before senility kicks in.

Photo credit: royals