Royal Book Challenge: Debrett's A Modern Royal Marriage

Book 2/500

Debrett's A Modern Marriage: A Royal Celebration
Published 2011
176 Pages

Released to commemorate Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding this book does the event justice and then some.

Unlike other royal wedding books, Debrett's A Modern Royal Marriage is comprehensive. It is beautifully laid out, with wonderful photographs and illustrations, and I could not find a single flaw within its pages. If you are going to buy any book about the royal wedding, it should be this one.

The details about all aspects of the ceremony and royal weddings in general is exquisite. No detail is missed. Along with biographies of the bride and groom, there is information about wedding bouquets, royal wedding cakes, tiaras, shoes, and wedding dress designs, it is all there. A treasure trove of information and a feast for the eyes, all in 176 pages.

© Marilyn Braun 2012

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Royal Marriages - It's not all doom and gloom

The House of Windsor’s marital history is well documented with a focus on the failures - Charles and Diana, Andrew and Fergie and Anne and Mark Philips. When Willliam and Catherine married these examples were brought up as a warning, as if it is a foregone conclusion that their marriage will end the same way. It also highlights the pressure the couple are under to not only make it work but also to make up for the past; which neither one had control over. If anything, the positive aspects of royal marriages have all but been ignored. But there have been some success stories.

Yes, believe it or not royal couples can get along and stay married. It’s rare now but it does happen. Prior to Charles and Diana it would have been unthinkable to divorce, too scandalous. Better to stay married and save face. The reason for royal marriages have also changed over time. They used to be arranged, negotiations beginning for some couples while they were still in the cradle. Arranging royal marriages was done for a variety of reasons, to make political alliances or even to prevent them in some cases, to join royal houses, to secure the succession – Henry VIII married six times in an effort to have a son to succeed him, later on King George III’s sons gave up their mistresses and married in order to produce an heir.  If they happened to fall in love then that was an unexpected bonus. The planning of royal marriages was very strategic and a pragmatic approach was taken to choosing the right spouse. Despite this, sometimes they didn’t even meet each other until the wedding day! Sometimes neither attended the wedding ceremony and they married by proxy.

King George III and Queen Charlotte

Inn 1759, the future King George III was in love with another woman, Lady Sarah Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond. But he was advised against the marriage and so he gave up any thoughts of it. He is quoted as saying: "I am born for the happiness or misery of a great nation," he wrote, "and consequently must often act contrary to my passions’ something that many royal bridegrooms can relate to. He became King in 1760 and had to find a suitable Queen. One candidate was seventeen year old Princess Charlotte Mecklenburg-Strelitz. A minor princess who, though intelligent was not particularly attractive but the king announced his intention to marry her in July 1761. Princess Charlotte arrived in London on September 7, 1761 and met the King and the royal family. The next day, September 8^th, they were married. Their marriage was successful, and rare for the time; King George III did not take any mistresses during their marriage. They had 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood.  At the time of her death in 1818, they had been married for 57 years.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 at the age of 18, she was not thinking of marriage. She was young and she was enjoying freedom for the first time in her life after years of being overprotected. Prior to this she had slept in the same room as her mother and whenever she went down a set of stairs, someone held her hand.

Prince Albert was her first cousin, and when the first met neither made much of an impression on the other. But in 1839 when Victoria had become Queen, she felt differently about him: falling in love with him and proposing marriage, they were married in February 1840. After her wedding night, Victoria wrote in her diary:

"I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!! MY DEAREST DEAREST DEAR Albert ... his excessive love & affection gave me feelings of heavenly love & happiness I never could have hoped to have felt before! He clasped me in his arms, & we kissed each other again & again! His beauty, his sweetness & gentleness – really how can I ever be thankful enough to have such a Husband! ... to be called by names of tenderness, I have never yet heard used to me before – was bliss beyond belief! Oh! This was the happiest day of my life!"

Their marriage would be a happy one and they would have nine children, most of whom would marry into the royal houses of Europe, thus giving Queen Victoria the nickname – Grandmother of Europe. Prince Albert did not live to become the grandfather of Europe as he died in December 1861. The Queen was devastated and mourned him, wearing black for the rest of her life until her death in 1901. They were married for 21 years.

King George V and Queen Mary

In the early 1890s, Princess May of Teck was in an unenviable position. Due to her father’s morganatic birth, it was thought she would have a hard time finding a husband. Too royal to marry beneath her and not royal enough to marry above her station. She also wasn’t getting any younger either – 26 at the time of her marriage. Luckily Queen Victoria saw past her morganatic background and she became engaged to the elder son of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor.

It wasn’t a love match, the prince was in actually in love with another woman, Helene, the daughter of the Comte de Paris. Unfortunately, Prince Albert Victor died a month before the intended wedding. Queen Victoria felt that Princess May was too good a bride to slip away so a year later May married Prince Albert Victor’s brother, Prince George. This is not the first time a sibling has married another’s intended. King Henry VIII married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon in 1509.

Theirs was not a love match. Prince George had a purely platonic attitude towards May. But there was affection between them. May wrote to him:

I am very sorry that I am still so shy with you. I tried not to be but failed. I was angry with myself! It is so stupid to be so stiff together and really there is nothing I would not tell you, except that I love you more than anybody in the world, and this I cannot tell you myself so I write it to relieve my feelings.

He wrote back:

Thank God we both understand each other, and I really think it unnecessary for me to tell you how deep my love for you, my darling, is and I feel it growing strong and stronger every time I see you – although I may appear shy and cold..’

George and May were married in July 1893 and were married for almost 47 years. They had six children, one of whom would have a happy marriage himself: Prince Albert, the future King George VI.

King George VI and Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon

Prince Albert did not have a lot going for him He was shy, awkward, he had a stammer and he was overshadowed by his older and more glamorous brother, David. When he met Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon he was quite smitten with her but too shy to do anything about directly. She was fond of him but not impressed, especially when he proposed through an intermediary. He would propose twice, and on the third try she accepted. They were married on April 26, 1923 and came to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his older brother, David. The King died in his sleep in 1952. Had he lived, the couple would have marked 29 years of marriage in April of that year. Their elder daughter would go on to mark a historic royal wedding anniversary.

Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip 1947

Out of all of the marriages, theirs is the most remarkable. Though to have Prince Philip tell it, their decision to get married wasn’t necessarily romantic. He having claimed it was ‘fixed up’. We’ll never know her true thoughts about that but she became smitten with the 18 year old Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark when her family visited Dartmouth royal naval college 1939, where he was a cadet. This was their first photographed meeting. It is said that they’d met at the wedding of Princess Marina to the Duke of Kent. Though Princess Elizabeth was only 8 at the time. Prince Philip was assigned to escort her and her sister around the college and it is said that the Queen never looked at another man afterwards. After the war, her parents thought she was too young to get engaged. They wanted her to meet other eligible men but Elizabeth was determined. The King asked her to wait before announcing an engagement and the family went on a three month tour of South Africa in 1947. The king finally relented to an engagement and it was announced in July 1947 with the couple being married in November of that year. They had four children and in 2007 marked 60 years of marriage. A first for any British monarch in history.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent

Prince Michael of Kent married Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz in 1978. Marie Christine had a complicated background, her father had been a Nazi party member and she had been previous married (which would be annulled by the Pope in 1978). The biggest strike against her was that she was a devout Catholic. Under the terms of the Act of Settlement, Prince Michael could not marry a Catholic and keep his place in the line of succession, where he was sixteenth at the time. Another obstacle was that due to the Royal Marriages act of 1772, no member of the royal family could marry without the sovereigns consent. Prince Michael and Marie Christine were unsure whether the Queen would give her consent. They turned to Lord Mountbatten, who approached the Queen, who did consent to the marriage, which took place in July 1978. They have two children and this year will celebrate 33 years of marriage.

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles

After a 30 year love affair and an inconvenient first husband and wife, Charles and Camilla were finally able to marry in 2005. Many people thought it would never happen, nor whether it was even possible. The last Prince of Wales paid a high price for marrying a divorced woman. The late Queen Mother was said to be against Camilla. After she died in 2002 the way was paved for the couple to get married. Though it would take three more years for it to happen. Much to the shock and amazement of many, their engagement was announced in February 2005 and they married in April 2005. Upon her marriage she became Princess of Wales, however, in deference to the memory of Diana, Camilla took the title Duchess of Cornwall instead. It is still unclear what title she will take when Charles becomes king. By most accounts, theirs is a happy marriage, they are compatible and Prince Charles seems to be happier and more content.

Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence

Princess Anne was originally married in 1973 to Captain Mark Philips, who had been unfaithful to his wife during their marriage. They had two children but the marriage ended in 1992.  Six months later she married Commander Timothy Laurence in Scotland in a very low-key ceremony. Anne became the first Royal divorcée to remarry since Princess Victoria Melita did so in 1905.

Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones

Prince Edward, the youngest son of the Queen and Prince Philip, is the only one of her children to stay married, a remarkable feat by today’s royal standards. Edward and Sophie had met in 1993 at a charity tennis tournament and began their relationship soon afterwards. Until Prince William’s courtship of Kate Middleton, theirs had been one of the longest royal courtships. They had dated for six years until they announced their engagement in 1999. They were married in June of that year and now have two children. In June they celebrated 12 years of marriage. 

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Royal Wedding Dress Designers

What do Norman Hartnell, David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, Lindka Cierach, Molyneux, Mainbocher, and Mme Handley Seymour have in common? All of them designed memorable royal wedding dresses. With Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress, Sarah Burton from the House of Alexander McQueen joined those illustrious ranks.

Royal wedding dresses conjure up images of fairy tales and happily ever after. Each designer is called upon not only to create a personal statement for the bride but also to redefine the fantasy image of the ultimate fairytale princess – Cinderella.

Some designs retain a timeless quality to them, such as Princess Margaret’s 1960 dress. Some are a product of their time – such as Princess Anne’s 1973 Tudor style sleeves or Lady Diana’s Spencer’s meringue creation from 1981.  Some are classic, such as Grace Kelly’s. Many have set trends. Queen Victoria set the ultimate trend, which continues to this day, of choosing a white dress for her wedding. Prior to this, brides had not always worn white. Roman brides wore yellow. 16^th and 17^th pale green was a popular choice – because of their association with fertility. But most brides wore their best clothes, wearing the dress she could afford. Now, wearing anything other than a dress within the white range of color, especially for a royal bride would be inconceivable. Though it has happened, the Duchess of Windsor’s dress, by American designer Mainbocher was pale blue. Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott’s dress was of a deep ivory that it had a blush pink hue.

Princess Alexandra,
Princess of Wales

Queen Victoria wore white silk satin court dress for her wedding in 1840. Made by Mary Bettans it used materials of British manufacture. Using British materials and even British designers is a custom that continues to this day. In 1863, her daughter in law, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, was given a beautiful dress of Brussels lace by King Leopold of the Belgians as a wedding gift, but as it was not British, it was considered inappropriate to use as a wedding dress. Instead, a dress of English silk was made by Mrs James, a favored dressmaker in London.

Like Queen Victoria and Princess Alexandra, Princess May of Teck’s 1893 wedding dress also used materials of English manufacture and was made by an English dressmaker, Linton and Curtis. In 1923, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon’s ivory chiffon dress was made by Madame Handley Seymour, a court dressmaker to Queen Mary, who not only made her wedding dress but the dress she wore for her Coronation too.

Looking back at these gowns and the designers who made them it’s a shame that their names have been, in effect, lost to the sands of time. Royal Wedding dresses tended to be made by royal dressmakers who did not get the same attention as designers do today.

The next royal bride, Princess Marina of Denmark would choose Edward Molyneux, Known for his elegant silhouettes, he was a couturier to society and the stars. He was a perfect choice for Princess Marina who was known for her chic and poised style.

Then there would be Norman Hartnell, a court dressmaker to the Queen Mother and to the Queen for many years. He was also well known for designing fashion costumes for films. He designed wedding dresses for Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott. Princess Elizabeth – the present Queen, whose dress was inspired by the image of Flora by Botticelli and had intricate embroidery. By contrast, his dress for Princess Margaret in 1960 was striking in its simplicity, as was Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester’s dress in 1972. He also designed the present Queen’s coronation dress and robes.

Some lesser known designers have included John Cavanaugh, who started his career working for Molyneux, designed the wedding dresses of both Katharine Worsley, Duchess of Kent in 1961 and her sister in law, Princess Alexandra of Kent in 1963. In 1973 Princess Anne would choose a relatively unknown Maureen Baker, chief designer at the firm Susan Small to make her wedding gown. Maureen Baker was not a household name but had been making clothing for the princess for several years.


Out of all of the royal wedding dress designers, up until 1981, none were more famous or well known than David and Elizabeth Emanuel. And 3 decades later they remain famous. They too were relatively unknown, having only graduated from the Royal College of Art only four years before Lady Diana Spencer approached them to create her iconic wedding dress.  Beating out more established designers such as Hardy Amies, dressmaker to the Queen, and the front runner Bellville Sassoon.

The Emanuel’s creation, with its record 25 foot train, is remarkable in its excess, though it reflected the fashions of the time it is also seen as the ultimate fairytale dress, setting many trends in the process. Most royal wedding dresses since 1981, including Catherine’s have been compared to it and no doubt will continue to be compared to it.

Wedding dress designers that followed would not gain the same level of fame or notoriety. Though they created beautiful dresses, few would be as familiar with the designer names Linka Cierach, who made Sarah Ferguson’s dress or Samantha Shaw who designed Sophie Rhys Jones’ wedding gown.

After William and Catherine’s engagement was announced, speculation began on who would design Catherine’s dress. Unlike other royal brides, she did not announce the name of her designer, preferring to keep everyone in suspense until the big day. Names of possible designers included Bruce Oldfield, a favorite of Diana, Issa who had made many clothes for Catherine, including her engagement dress, Sophie Cranston, and Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen.

On the day itself the design and the designer were revealed as Sarah Burton. According to the press release for the dress:

Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen’s work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.

Burton started as a personal assistant to Alexander McQueen in 1997. She was appointed as Head of Womens wear in 2000, with clients including Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama, and Gwyneth Paltrow. After McQueen’s death she was named as the creative director of the company in 2010. Though her name was mentioned as a contender for designing the dress she denied any involvement. Though she almost gave the game away when she was seen arriving at the Goring hotel. Up until the day of the wedding no one knew for sure who the designer was, just as Catherine wanted it to be. Will other royal brides follow suit in keeping the names of their designers a secret? We’ll have to wait and see!

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

The World According to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Forget President Obama or Queen Elizabeth, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is the most influential person on the planet.

Don't believe me?

No other woman can be said to influence everything from pantyhose to the economy. Her wedding even affected the environment. That's how powerful she is. Is it any accident that after her break-up with William in April 2007 that by July, Venus and Saturn were in conjunction? Coincidence? I think not.

We may think that her impact is limited to frivolous fashion choices. Not so! The Media, Hair & Beauty, Technology, Health Care, Travel and Food industries have all experienced the Kate-effect. Who else could change the landscape of the automotive industry by increasing the value of a 2001 Volkswagen Golf?

Clearly a one woman juggernaut of global influence.

However, not everything she touches turns to gold. Case in point, her royal wedding affected the mating patterns of red grouse. The UK economy also took a hit. As well, invoking the royal wedding couldn't even revive Jerry Seinfeld's career. You win some, you lose some.

Luckily she uses her powers for good; raising awareness about affordable flights between Edinburgh and Manchester. The proper etiquette for returning shopping trolleys. As well as highlighting the dangers of putting a maid of honor in a flattering dress.

Catherine's reach is so powerful it even extends into other galaxies! Maybe UFO's are trying to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon.

When they come to a conclusion let's hope they return so they can explain it to us.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Royal Review: Royal Wedding Commemorative Issues - Part 2

Prior the wedding I wrote a post reviewing the various royal wedding commemorative book-a-zines being sold to commemorative the royal wedding. Now several of the issues have updated their versions with photos from the big day, much to my chagrin. Thus making me feel bad for having wasted the money on them in the first place. I really should have known better. These updated versions were inevitable.

Now that the event is over, there are a dozen or more magazines commemorating the royal wedding. Because of this, one thing is very clear. You can waste a lot of money collecting these issues if you don't choose carefully. For me, I have had to physically restrain myself from buying most of them. The ones I have purchased may be somewhat repetitive in terms of their coverage, but if nothing else they've given me material for another article.

Let's review the ones I have bought:

LIFE - The Royal Wedding - Expanded Commemorative Edition

LIFE magazine released a version called Royal Wedding before the wedding itself. Now they have updated it, calling this issue the 'expanded commemorative edition.' And so it is. It is the exact same magazine except that the introduction has been rewritten and photos of the royal wedding have been added. Out of all of the issues I would recommend this one. Especially if you did not purchase the version before it. The issue is of very good, durable quality. It may not have as many wedding photos as other issues but then again, how many pictures do you really need of the newlyweds gazing adoringly at each other or riding in the carriage?

TIME Special Commemorative Issue

Like LIFE, TIME has also put together a quality issue. Unlike LIFE it is not completely devoted to the royal wedding itself. But what it lacks in wall to wall photos, it makes up in the content of the articles about William, Catherine and the future of the monarchy.

Maclean's Special Commemorative Edition - William and Kate, The Royal Wedding

Maclean's magazine, the Canadian equivalent of TIME, has prepared an issue dedicated entirely to the wedding. It is of much better quality than its American counterpart. Information on the preparations and the key people involved in the ceremony. It's all there.  If for nothing else, it's worth the price if only to read an entire article about the difficulty Prince William had putting the wedding ring on Catherine's finger. It would be nice to say that this is the only royal wedding magazine Maclean's has released, but it isn't. At present I have no plans to buy the newer edition.

People Magazine Special Collector's Issue and People Magazine Commemorative Edition

How many issues of the same publication do you need to celebrate the royal wedding? The editors of People seem to think the world needs two.

Of the two, the Special Collector's Issue is the larger one, with a 72-page royal wedding album. Not content with that issue, People went ahead and put together a Commemorative Edition. Unlike the Special Collector's issue it is completely devoted to the royal wedding. Unless you did not buy the Special Collector's Issue, I would not recommend the Commemorative Edition. The 72 pages in the Special Collector's issue is more than enough and includes more interesting information than the version after it. Or maybe the inevitable third commemorative keepsake issue will be better?

Hello! Royal Wedding Special Keepsake Album, Photo Album and Special Double Issue

You have to hand it to Hello! They're in a league of their own when it comes to going overboard with the royal wedding. There's the Original Commemorative issue, the Second Souvenir Issue, and the Royal Wedding Keepsake Album of magical memories. I have the Canadian versions so I confess to not knowing the full extent they have gone overboard. But judging by the fact I have three issues covering the exact same event is enough for me. (Why do I have three issues? In my defense, two of them are part of my subscription). As is Hello's! custom, the text is mostly limited to informative caption boxes covering interesting historical details. The photos dominate the issue and overall Hello! has covered the event well. It would be nice if they had limited the amount of issues. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.

Overall, each of them is good. For an overview of their relationship and wedding - buy LIFE. If you're interested in lots of pictures of the Royal Wedding, I recommend buying the Hello! keepsake issue.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Royal Review: BBC - The Royal Wedding DVD

What can you say about a DVD that covers an event flawless in its execution? With the exception of Princess Beatrice's hat and for one brief heart-stopping moment with the wedding ring, everything went according to plan?

Certainly you can discuss the music, the couple's prayer the bride's dress and how handsome Prince Harry looked. But this ultimately has nothing to do with the BBC since they had no control over it. The only unique aspect is that the BBC seems to be the first to have released a DVD of this sort.

So what then is there left to say about BBC's The Royal Wedding: William & Catherine? The ceremony feed inside Westminster Abbey was not exclusive to the BBC, therefore the camera angles are not unique. What's we have is the BBC before and after coverage, which is striking in its simplicity. Beginning with Prince William and Prince Harry's departure from Clarence House, we are spared the interminable waits, the people watching and the banter of the royal commentators. With a few brief exceptions the only voice is that of presenter Huw Edwards.

Although the events before and after the ceremony have been edited, there is still a strong sense of occasion. The cheering excitement of the crowds is not sacrificed for a better view of the Queen in her car. The ceremony itself is not edited so the viewer can enjoy the event in its entirety. Aside from the newlywed's procession to Buckingham Palace, the remaining coverage is condensed.  So much so that shortly after William and Catherine's arrival it seems as though they headed directly to the balcony. This appearance includes the flypast, the two kisses, the grimaces and bewildered looks of the tiny bridesmaids and Kate looking back over her shoulder as she leaves the balcony. Charming and personal moments that made the Royal wedding a special family occasion we were privy to and one that we can continue to relive through this DVD.

Also included is a 50 minute documentary about William and Catherine, as it charts their relationship from its earliest days to their engagement. Interspersed with footage of the couple, friends and royal commentators offer their opinions, continuously emphasizing the relative ordinariness of their relationship and royal romance. Were it not for the inclusion of the royal wedding ceremony on this DVD you could pretend those opinions were right.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

The Royal Report for Sunday May 22, 2011 - Does Pippa Middleton deserve privacy?

Since Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding, Pippa Middleton (Catherine's sister) has been the focus of intense media speculation for her looks as well as her relationships. Despite her sister having married into the royal family, does Pippa deserve privacy?

Listen to this episode to find out: Does Pippa Middleton deserve privacy?

Publications discussed:

Hello! Canada Weekly No 218 30 May 2011

From My Royal Collection

Doomed Queens: Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 29, 2011 at 9:00PM ET.

The topic will be: Prince Philip at 90

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

To wipe away your tears of joy...

The low-battery light flickered on my rented cell-phone. Strange, I thought I had charged it the night before. The guests were arriving and I was trying to tweet but the phone kept getting slower and slower. Despite being plugged into the wall the phone powered off completely. Frustrated I gave up on tweeting. I was disappointed in not being able to share in the event with other royal bloggers. But I had no choice, the phone was dead. It would be several hours before I would get a replacement.

I did not have a plan for the day. Sure I'd thought of going to Hyde Park, or potentially taking a spot at the Mall. While there were screens set up in Hyde Park, in the Mall I would have had to wait to find out what Kate's dress looked like. So I stayed put in the hotel. Not wanting to miss a moment I ate a bag of crisps for my breakfast.

"To wipe away your tears of joy"

Once they had been pronounced man and wife I decided to head out. My hotel wasn't far from Buckingham Palace and as I was walking towards it, a girl was handing out samples of Kleenex. As she handed it to me, she said:

 'To wipe away your tears of joy'.

I'm not sure I would go that far. She had probably been handing these samples out all morning and there was little inflection in her voice, her tone was bored as she said the phrase and the incongruity of it stuck with me.

Maybe she was bored to tears?

As I headed towards Buckingham Palace, the crowd of people got thicker. With people in front and behind, personal space was now non-existent. Not a place to be if you're claustrophobic. Complete gridlock. I turned around and tried a different approach, walking along a street where the foreign dignitaries cars were parked.  People were gathered around a few of the cars, looking in the windows, presumably watching the ceremony with the driver.

I kept walking. There were people everywhere, along with police wearing florescent yellow vests. Every so often I would find myself in a sea of people slowly moving forward, direction unknown. I started to envy Kate, if only for the fact that she would never have to get stuck walking in a crowd this size ever again. But no one was pushing or shoving, everyone was calmly making their way towards the same direction. Occasionally the crowds would disperse and I could breathe again. I looked at my surroundings.  Somehow I had made it to Hyde Park.The ceremony was over and people were leaving. I spotted the tents where the official programmes were being sold.

I went to London and all I got to show for it was....

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

The Royal Wedding Report for Sunday May 8, 2011

After months of speculation surrounding the ceremony, on April 29th Prince William and Catherine Middleton finally became husband and wife. The momentous occasion was filled with beautiful music and memorable moments. From Catherine's dress, to the ceremony, to the atmosphere in London, on this episode a recap of the royal wedding day.

You can listen to the episode here:

The Royal Wedding Report - Recap

Publications mentioned

London Evening Standard Friday April 29, 2011

The Sun Friday April 29, 2011

Hello! Canada - Special Double Issue - The Royal Wedding

Hello! Royal Wedding Special Commemorative Edition

British GQ - Cover story - Prince harry is Walking with the Wounded

From My Royal Collection

Kate and Wills Up the Aisle by Alison Jackson

Websites mentioned

For more details on Kate's dress and the ceremony go to the Official Royal Wedding Website


Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report for Sunday May 15th, 2011 at 9:00PM ET (North America).

The topic will be: Royal Wedding Dress Designers

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

How long have you been out here for?

'How long have you been out here for?' A reporter asked, as she shoved a microphone into the face of a woman wearing a union jack hat with a homemade banner attached to the railings. Clearly enjoying the attention the woman smiled, giving the same answer she probably gave to all reporters who came by. 

Other reporters and camera crews were doing similar things to anyone with a creatively decorated sign or tent. Cameras were set up on scaffolds surrounding the Victoria memorial. Those that weren't were in the green media studios set up to cover the event outside Buckingham Palace. Groups of people stood behind those studios, waving signs and cheering to get on TV. Occasionally the crowd would be rewarded with a smile and a wave from the on-air personality.

Just off to the side of these studios, behind gates, stood huge satellite dishes and news caravans that hummed. Walking along Constitution Hill, Green Park, a peaceful retreat from the hoopla. Shaded, cool and quiet it didn't seem as though it was in the same area. Walking back towards Buckingham Palace, it was warm outside and I wished I'd left my coat back at the hotel. Except that it could, and did, turn cool at times.

There was an enormous amount of people, though not as many as there would be this time tomorrow. Nothing was happening. Maybe they were here for the same reason I was. Not to stake a claim on the pavement but to observe, take pictures and like me, savor the moment of just being there.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Whatever you do, don't go to sleep!

'What ever you do, DON'T go to sleep!'

My husband's warning came into my head as I started to doze off in the hotel room. Just five more minutes I thought to myself. It was 10AM London time, 5AM back home. I had barely slept on the flight. No wonder I was tired. At least I had survived the underground. Mainly thanks to the kindness of strangers, something I would rely on many times through this trip.

But I hadn't come to London to sleep. I sat up, grabbed my cell phone and camera and headed out the door. My hotel was near enough to Buckingham Palace, about a 15 minute walk. I didn't need a map to find it. I only needed to look down the road to see the royal standard flapping in the wind.

As I walked along the sidewalk, multiple souvenir shops caught my eye. William and Kate on every conceivable item imaginable. There were knockoffs of Kate's ring, knockoff commemorative coins, hats, magnets, and condoms. Yes, condoms - holy buzz killer!

Heading further along I found a tea shop selling William and Kate tea bags, then the Buckingham Palace shop. Utopia for those searching for the tasteful items. The store was small and crowded and I hugged my purse close to my body lest I knock over something tastefully expensive.  I made a mental note to come back when it was less crowded.

A few blocks down the road I finally arrived at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Royal Standard on the flagpole. Beyond the imposing black gates an immaculate gravel forecourt. And there was the famous balcony. By this time the next day, the newly married William and Kate would share a kiss for the world to see.

By the looks of it, I wasn't the only one imagining the same thing.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

I'm in London, baby!

"What is the purpose of your visit?" 

Steeling myself for the suspicious look and potential interrogation, I replied, "I'm here for the royal wedding."

The customs agent smiled and stamped my passport.

Hmm, very different reaction to the one I received when I went to New York for Jerramy Fine's book signing.

Obviously in this instance, customs wasn't going to ask me what the resolution to William and Kate's particular situation would be. This agent wasn't chewing gum either, nor did she have a moustache.

So I'd arrived in London. What began as a crazy idea was now a reality. What on earth was I thinking? Jet-lagged and unfamiliar with my surroundings I regrouped for a moment before braving the underground. I had been dreading this part. Back home a map filled with a labyrinth of multicolored tube lines had filled me with anxiety. I had gotten lost on the New York subway system, how would I ever manage this one?

But I had to get to my hotel. So I asked a ticket agent what the easiest way to get to Victoria station was. As he gave me directions he asked where I was from.

"Canada! One of my relatives is a government minister" he said proudly, writing the surname of his kin on the back of a receipt for me. Presumably so I could share in his pride when I returned home. I stuffed the paper into my purse, took a deep breath and headed for the gates.

There was no way of knowing where I would end up.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

All about the dress

You already know that Catherine Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. But did you know Kate reportedly held her secret meetings with the designer in Henry VIII's favorite palace? Or that the workers who did the embroidery had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace clean?

If you want to see the dress in real life, you may get the chance. A Clarence House spokeswoman says the Duchess of Cambridge is "considering a number of options" for putting the dress on public display.

And if you want to get married in a dress like Kate's, that's possible, too. Low-priced designers are racing to create copies.

Photo source: The British Monarchy

Text © World of Royalty

A modern dream dress

Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana's wedding dress, praises Catherine Middleton's dress:

Kate Middleton's wedding dress

Catherine Middleton's much-anticipated wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton, creative director for Alexander McQueen. According to the official royal wedding website, "Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress."

The dress, made of ivory and white satin gazar, features English lace and French Chantilly lace throughout the bodice and skirt. The bride also wore a veil of ivory silk tulle held in place by a Cartier "halo" tiara borrowed from the Queen.

All of these details came from the official wedding site. Go here to learn more about Kate Middleton's attire, jewelry, and bouquet, as well as the bridesmaids' dresses and page uniforms.

Photo © Press Association. Photo source: The British Monarchy

Text © World of Royalty

Don't miss the wedding!

Want to watch today's royal wedding on your computer? Well, you're in luck, because it will be streamed live on the British monarchy's official YouTube channel.

Marilyn's in London right now, but she'll probably be tweeting during the royal wedding. You can follow her on Twitter at marilynsrylblog.

You can also follow me, your friendly blog babysitter, at worldofroyalty. Happy wedding watching!

William and Kate, wait for me!

After careful consideration of every ones comments (thank you) on my indecisive post about going to London, I have decided to cross the pond and celebrate the royal wedding with William and Kate. Just in case you're wondering. No, I don't have a ticket to their wedding.

It's a crazy thing to do but it's also a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the royal family doing what they do best - riding on horses and keeping things shiny. Royal weddings do not happen all the time and I don't expect to see a wedding of this scale anytime soon.

I also think that one day, this episode will make a good chapter in my as yet unwritten memoir. Not to mention a pivotal scene in the movie-of-the-week of my life starring the lovely Julia Emma Roberts.

While I'm away in London, probably getting lost on the tube as we speak, the lovely Cinderella from the World of Royalty website, World of Royalty Blog, Royal News Blog and a fabulous contributor to The Kate Middleton Report, will be updating this site and the Kate blog with information from the wedding day.

I shall also attempt to tweet live during the royal wedding and you can follow my royal wedding updates on Twitter at marilynsrylblog

© Marilyn Braun 2011

 Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

The Royal Report for Sunday April 24, 2011 - Can the Royal Wedding set the course for the monarchy?

Prince William & Kate Middleton's wedding day on April 29th is touted to be one of televisions most historic moments. With an increasing cynicism towards the British Royal Family, can this wedding set the course for the monarchy?

Also on this episode: a surprise announcement from me, just how far will people go to escape the royal wedding coverage? Could Kate already be pregnant? Can this wedding cure cavities?

Find out by listening to this episode: Can the royal wedding set the course for the monarchy?

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 215 25 April 2011

Star Magazine - April 25, 2011 Cover story: Pregnant Bride - A Baby for William and Kate

The Faster Times

From My Royal Collection

The Royal Book of Lists: An Irreverent Romp through British Royal History

Note: There will be no episode of The Royal Report for Sunday May 1st.

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 8, 2011 at 9:00PM ET (North America)

The topic will be: Royal Wedding Recap

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Royal Focus: The Goring Hotel

In a royal twist, St James's Palace announced that Kate Middleton would depart for her wedding, not from one of the royal palaces, like most royal brides, but from the Goring Hotel, in Belgravia, near Buckingham Palace.

Many people might wonder why Kate chose this hotel over one of the royal palaces to mark her last night as a commoner. But looking at the rooms it makes sense. Rumored to be staying in the 5-room Royal Suite, we can easily imagine close-knit Carole and Pippa Middleton preparing Kate for her wedding day. Helping her into her into her wedding gown, calming her nerves, in such an intmate and luxurious setting. And if reports are correct, the entire hotel has been booked to ensure the Middleton family privacy on such an important occasion.

The Goring is a luxury 5-star hotel run by the same family for 100 years. Founded by Otto Richard Goring, it was the last hotel built in the reign of King Edward VII. Opened on March 2,1910, it was the first hotel in the world to have ensuite bathrooms and central heating. Such was the novelty of this feature, that during a 1937 visit by the Norwegian Crown Prince, he stated‘ at Buckingham Palace I have to share a bath with five people! Here I have one to myself’

Throughout its long history, the Goring has hosted many famous guests, including Grand Duchess Xenia of Russia, Princess Eugenie of Greece, the royal family of Nepal, Queen Elizabeth II, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and several prominent politicians. In 1930, novelist Anthony Powell was inspired to invent his heroine The Hon. Angela Goring, for his series of novels 'A Dance to the Music of Time' over tea at the hotel.

The connection with the royal family is strong. Queen Mary frequently came for tea with her Lady in Waiting, The Hon. Violet d'Arcy, who lived at the hotel. The King and Queen and their daughters celebrated the end of the Second World War with sausages and scrambled eggs at the Goring, while Prince Charles's 1948 christening cake was made by the pastry chefs. It was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's favorite hotel, and she made her last public appearance there in 2002.

Featuring Edwardian architecture, the hotel has 71-rooms and in the last 5 years has undergone a £10 million refurbishment. In 1910 the cost of a room was 37P. In 2010, the cost of a 'Splendid Connecting Silk Room is £1,525.00. The Goring has won numerous awards, including Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year in 2009, Hotel of the Year by Virtuoso and Virtuoso Life magazine  in 2010, and Best Service in the UK by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

UK or Bust? To go or not to go

I've never been one of those people who is very good at making up my own mind, especially when it comes to things that are outside of my comfort zone. I'm more of a jump now, think later type of person. Which is not necessarily a bad thing except for having to live with the consequences of those impulse choices.

Since the royal engagement I have had several people asking me if I'm going to London to watch the wedding. I've always answered no. Not necessarily because it's a bad idea, it just seems like an unrealistic thing to do. Even my husband has asked me if I'm going to London, and again I've always answered no.

My plan was to wake up at an ungodly hour, make a pot of coffee and sit on the couch watching every moment, while blogging and tweeting about it. I'd thought of doing a live royal report but then I realized no one is likely to be listening to me and I didn't really want the distraction.

Despite these plans, something shifted inside of me recently. The other day I was interviewed by a journalist about people who go to the UK for the wedding. The reporter wanted my view on why people go and what kind of people go. I answered that it's the ultimate place to celebrate the royal wedding. The type of people who go might be royalists, young or old, who would like to be part of a historic event - even if it means watching it over people's heads in a crowd of thousands.

As I answered I started to realize that I wanted to be one of those people too! This thought occurring to me TWO weeks before the wedding. I wanted to go to London to join in the festivities. Crazy idea? Some would say, but I had the support of my husband and that's really what counts. Once the practicalities are dealt with, there is little to stop me from going. There is nothing standing in my way.

Other than myself.

I looked at flight and hotel options and found they were, surprisingly, reasonably priced. I've only been to London once and that was only for 3 days. I don't know anyone there. It would just be me and several thousand strangers celebrating one of the biggest television events in history. I've read of other people going, with a mixture of envy and puzzlement. Why would you want to go? You won't see anything? It's too crowded. Now I wondered these same things about myself.

I've only encountered this situation once before. I was invited to a book launch party by Jerramy Fine, author of the book Someday My Prince Will Come. However, the party was in New York City. I wasn't planning on going. I tried to think of several reasons not to go - I would need to fly there, I'd never travelled by myself before, it just seemed too extravagant a thing to do. I didn't know anyone there. I'd never even met Jerramy before nor had I read her book. Then my sense of adventure took over. Why not do it? I'd always wanted to go to New York City. I was there for all of two days and despite getting lost on the subway on more than one occasion, I had a great time. Would I do it again? You bet!

This situation is a different story. It's a longer trip, much more expensive, and maybe the reasons are not as easy to justify. It doesn't stop me from wanting to go, it just makes me wonder whether I should. I don't have a lot of time to make up my mind. I try and make a mental pro and con list without coming to any real conclusion. It's a once in a lifetime trip. I wouldn't normally do something like this. So this post, is a way of debating the pros and cons out in the open. OK, and maybe getting some objective feedback too!

Or maybe I just need to get out of my own way...

UPDATE: I will be going to London to celebrate the royal wedding! Thank you for all of your encouraging words! :)

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.Read more...