Sera and I watched the Royal Wedding live on CNN and we couldn't get enough of the pageantry, the glamour and the nationalism of the Brits. We have nothing like the Royals in our country, unless you want to count Hollywood, and even that is disappointing. Sandra Bullock's cheating ex-husband comes to mind.
Sera and I were readily in agreement that Kate was not only glamorous, but sexy, like Cinderella. The dress and veil, wow! And William certainly looked every bit the part of the handsome prince (minus the balding) with his bright red military uniform and his strong British accent.
I, personally loved Harry's smirk just before the start of the ceremony. I'm sure he was thinking about partying.
There was also that brief second where Sera and I were saying, "Oh, oh, he's having trouble getting that ring on her finger." But alas, it all worked out.
Charles and Camilla, as usual, looked as battle worn as ever. Queen Elizabeth looked stately as Kate bowed to her after the ceremony.
Sir Elton John looked bloated with those puffy cheeks, clearly showing the passage of time from his singing of "Candle in the Wind" at Diana's funeral.
So why are we so enthralled with the Royals? I think its because this all hearkens back to our early childhoods and story-telling fables: Cinderella, Snow White, the old lady in the shoe, the gingerbread kids, Little Red Riding Hood, etc.
I remember Diana's wedding. She was absolutely beautiful. She was the first modern-day princess, the girl next door with the shorter hair and that shy smile. Then there were the trails and tribulations: Diana's depression and the affairs with the sordid details on the Barbara Walters specials, etc. William and Harry grew up before our eyes. Who could forget Diana's horrible accident in the tunnel in France? The funeral with Charles and the boys?
Fast forward a decade-and-a half, and a new wedding, a new beginning, renewed hope for a fairy-tale marriage that would endure.
How about the simple two-vehicle motorcade, with Kate in the back of the Rolls-Royce with her father, waving to the crowds, thousands and thousands, with British flags draped on their shoulders?
The church, Westminster Abbey, was unlike anything I have ever seen on TV before, or in real life for that matter, with such architectural detail by the broadcast cameras.
Sera and I were surprised there was no kiss, but when the bride and groom later emerged from a balcony with not one, but two kisses, we were psyched. The kisses were very romantic, but not overdone where you would think, "Get a room or wait for the honeymoon."
Overall, Sera and I loved the hats, the accents, the choir, the entire atmosphere. I loved the nationalism, too, with all of the British flags. We also took note that while William was balding, Harry had too much hair.
My favorite parts were when William and Kate were in the horse-drawn carriage and then rode off in the convertible sports car. Sera liked the kisses and we both did a double take with the hats. William and Kate blessed in holy matrimony in the eyes of God and the world.
And they live happily ever after! At least in fairy tales...