I can remember being 12 years old when I heard rumblings about an upcoming wedding of the year, decade, and century. I was the only one in my household to set an alarm and arise at 2 am on July 29, 1981, to view the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. I sat transfixed as a carriage came into view holding a beautiful Princess Bride. Royal Wedding Wednesday The Redux.
Royal Wedding Wednesday The Redux
Like so many other young girls I grew up watching Cinderella and Snow White. I dreamed of the day when my Prince would come. I was told that such nonsense was found only in fairy tales. Yet somehow Diana made it a beautiful reality. I can still recall in vivid detail the moment in which she began her walk up the stairs of St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by a dazzling 25-foot train.
As the years passed by I learned all too well that life was indeed not a fairytale. It would seem that the Prince was never in love with his Princess. Even though much of the world admired and loved her for her devotion as a mother and her commendable charity work.
But I remained determined to try and capture even a small bit of the fairy tale and planned for the day that I would one day walk the streets of London and the countryside of England. As a teenager, I lingered at the library reading royal autobiographies and poured over pages of books filled with images of castles, bridges, and towers. Yes, I am aware this is a bit unusual for a young girl but my early fascination fueled the fire which led me to a lifelong love of travel and the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Many others joined my Royal loving bandwagon when Prince William has asked his longtime love, Catherine “Kate” Middleton, to be his Princess Bride.
Royal Wedding Wednesdays first premiered on Decor To Adore in January of 2011. It will now begin again and continue through May. The journey will cross the English countryside and discuss wedding details, design elements, architecture, and other bits of royal history bliss.
Will you come along on this grand carriage ride?
Laura
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*sigh* I miss Princess Di! I too watched their wedding…and can not wait for William and Kate's! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Oh it is so fascinating to watch. I also remember Diana and Charles wedding. It was indeed a fairytale. I can't wait to see the next one. Hugs, Marty
I remember it well (and I was in high school friend). My cousins from England were visiting us at the time so a housefull of girls got up in the dark to watch in awe, it was indeed magical. Haven't been too much attention to William's announcement but will be very much looking forward to following it all here.
Oh Sweet Laura, I just love you! I was up in the wee hours of the morning watching the royal wedding as well. I watched every move Princess Di made..she was oh so graceful..a true princess. 🙂 Love your piece on Kate and William..they're such a sweet couple and I look forward to watching the peoples wedding once again. 🙂
Hugs
Missy
Oh, count me in I was a huge Diana fan! Loved the Royal wedding and have already proclaimed to the family that when Kate and Wills marry I will be watching. Don't expect any meals or housework during the actual televised event! LOL Maybe this fairy tale will be happily ever after.
Sherry
I love a wedding…. especially a royal wedding.
Great post, Laura! I'll be coming along for the ride. I love fairytale weddings and can't wait for the big occasion and will thoroughly enjoy all of the history, facts and details you plan to share . . . things that won't be in the tabloids. I'm looking forward to it. You always do such a nice job with your blog. This will be fun!!
I have long been fascinated with the modern fairytale romance of the British royalty… Prince William is only a year or 2 younger than me.
And yes, I see love in the young couple's faces and wish them all the happiness in the world.
Thanks for sharing & bringing back some memories 🙂
omgoodness, girl
my daughter parisiennefarmgirl and I awoke early when she was just 5 … we soaked it up like two sponges.
We have our alarms all set for April 29, and now my grandaughter (3) will be joining us, hat and all!
we met the princes HRH in Chigago at the Drake Hotel, spoke with her and showered her with flowers and gifts.
You stole my post here …lol
Pip, pip & cheerio! Break out that gold carriage & the sceptre & the orb! You know–I'M IN!
I am so along for the Royal Wedding Wednesdays! I was quite a bit older than you (actually, I'm kinda depressed over that right now) when Charles married Diana, but I remember getting up early to watch the whole thing… for the sake of history of course!
Oh Laura, save me a seat, I'm coming along too! Charles and Diana got married just 2 days before I did so I took it all in as best I could but didn't have time to “copy” anything because all of my arrangements had already been made. However, we did go to Europe for our 25th anniversary a few years ago and were able to tour Kensington and see a beautiful display of Diana's dresses. I can't wait to see what you have in store!
I remember the Diana wedding – my grandmother was living with me then (until she passed away) and absolutely was enthralled with that whole thing. She collected all sorts of Diana wedding things. I truly hope that Kate will be much happier in her marriage than Diana was.
I'm a tad bit older than you when the Royal Wedding took place. Married with 3 young children.
I remember the princess bride doll that a Friend had.
Looking forward to royal post,
d
Oh, I'm in, Laura. I was enamoured of Princess Diana and all the wedding details too.
Laura it is so romantic to me!! I will love following along through the months to come!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Yes, save a place for me on Wednesdays–I was up watching the Royal Wedding, too! Beautiful and thoughtful post as usual!
I totally remember getting up early to watch Charles and Diana get married! I was about 8, I think. I'm ridiculously excited about this upcoming wedding. I'm incredibly excited to be in a much better timezone to watch it this go round. We're 1 hour ahead of GMT, so no getting up super early for me! I can't wait for your series!
I, too, beieve in fairy tales and will be following along with you on Wednesdays! Lovely post!
XO,
Jane
Yay!!! I am excited for Wednesdays!! 🙂 I have always been enamored with the Royals (from all countries!) I loved and still love fairy tales and have seen the real version of them unfold in many of my friends' lives. I look forward to my own future “prince” too… 🙂 I am excited as well that Prince William does indeed love his future Princess bride, and that is the most important thing!
I'm defintely along for the ride, Laura. I dedicated a post back in November to the Royal Couple, and I have been watching them for a long time and hoping that they would announce their engagement. They seem to be well suited, and I think she is just a lovely young lady. I think his mother would approve.
Oh, and I was up with you in the wee hours to watch Lady Diana marry Prince Charles. Some of us had a slumber party and all watched together, even Mr. Magpie!
I think William will be a wonderful king, and I think that Kate will be the perfect consort. She has a good head on her shoulders in addition to having a pretty head. 😉
XO,
Sheila 🙂
I call shotgun!
Your Friend,
Deborah
What a great Idea! I look forward to it! I too got up in the wee hours along with my two roommates. I feel like I am in a sorority and I didn't even know it! How wonderful Wednesdays will be. Keep up the good work.
I remember watching the wedding with my room mate (she'd been my college room mate, too). The whole thing was beyond beautiful and so other worldly. Years later my friend called me from NYC (where she now lives) knowing I'd be up and we watched Princess Diana's funeral together. I'm praying for a much happier ending for this young couple.
Dearest Laura..
I was an old married lady with a 9yr old son..
we both were up in the wee hours watching THE WEDDING..
I loved Di..every thing she said or did..but mostly I loved her giving of herself to her children..sharing her life with them in very NORMAL circumstances..
I miss her beauty and grace..but I see so much of her in Wills..this will be a wonderful union..
Save me a seat right next to Pat.. we are both short and need to be front row center for the best view!!
Am so looking forward to this trip with you!!
warmest hugs..
Loui♥
Happy New Year,
sweet friend!!
I hope you and
yours are feeling
better. I'm still
crawling out from
under this flu, but
am finally able to
catch up on e-mails
and blogs. I, too,
set my alarm that
year {except I was
a freshmen in college!}
and followed the royal
romance. I am looking
forward to your Wednesdays,
as half of my DNA is from
the U.K. and I've always
been drawn to that part
of the world. Off to
catch up on more of your
posts. Snowy hugs coming
your way from MN….
xx Suzanne
Oh Laura, what a wonderful post! I was a new bride too when Diana and Charles married and was very caught up in it all.
I love the whole fairly tale aspect of it. Diana was so beautiful.
I'm so excited to see your next post. I told my daughter this is just what the world needs right now … a fairy tale wedding! Something happy and magicial!
What a wonderful series. I look forward to reading along!
Blessings,
Marcia
Yes, Yes, OF COURSE we want to come along with you! We all watched that wedding & look forward to this coming one 🙂
Jane-Jacksonville
You can count me in, Laura! Not only did I get up in the wee hours of the morning to watch the wedding, Princess Diana gave birth to William just days before I had my firstborn son. In fact, I was at my last OB appointment when Wills was born…
Kate will be a beautiful bride and I hope and pray she knows what she's getting into….
oh yes, I watched Diana's wedding with wide eyes as well. Who could not be transfixed? Despite any adult feelings towards Windsors, who isn't fascinated by each detail of the castles and the pomp, in awe at the sight of the crown jewels or the precision of the changing of the guard at the Palace? I am happy they chose Diana's ring! The engagement I think lifts some of the saddness at the loss of Diana.
Laura, I remember the wedding as well. My engagement ring has colored stones in it partly because of Princess Diana's ring, even though I got engaged in 1983. I will be happy to tune in and see what you have to tell of England etc.
I remember the wedding too. I love that the prince wants a part of his mother to be present by giving his chosen her ring. I can only hope they will indeed have a happy ending!
Laura,
I do love a good fariytale… ANd a happy ending!
Yvonne
I truly hope for this young couple their fairy tale last a lifetime!! They look like they are so much in love!
I can hardly wait!!!!!
I have already requested the day off from work. I was 20 and at work as a nurse when Charles and Diana got married, so I don't want to miss a thing this time!!!!!
Laura, I know! I am just cheering those two on! Looking forward to the posts about the upcoming wedding!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
What I wouldn't give to be In LONDON on that April 29th day!!!
I too sat my alarm early that day, and wat6ched every detail, since I was a very little girl, I have been in awe and love with the Royal Family, my Grandmother gave me this love, she cut out magazine articles from the Queen Mother, ,my most cherished possesion is her magazine clippings collection, one day I shall share this delightful things!!!So old and fragile though!!!
I will be watching you KNOW IT!!If I am NOT there in person!!!!
hugs,
jamie
I was fortunate enough to see the traveling exhibit of Princess Di just last month. It's in Grand Rapids, MI. Her dress…..and train…stunning. To see her wardrobe in person also is breathtaking. Her tiara stopped me cold.
I can't wait to see the upcoming wedding. The date is circled on my calendar and I will be watching every minute of it.
I was a huge Diana fan and sat for hours watching on tv. I think how special she must have felt in that carriage, in that dress. I think Kate and William are a lovely couple and I pray their love is a forever love.
I too watched in awe of the sweet bride who walked the isle to her prince. I don't want to rain on your parade but as I look back on the life of Princess Di an on that very special day I see a lamb goin' to slander. My bad!!! Seems she was the chosen one for ahummmmm…breedin' stock. Sorry!
I do see love though when I see Prince William and Kate look at each other. I so pray that the outcome of this union will be blessed for the rest of their lives. I just love a story that ends in Happily Ever After!!! :o)
God bless you sweetie and have a grand time with your 'royal' coverage!!!
Well I was 17 and followed Diana's every move after that. She died on my birthday. I was inspired by her clothes, her hair, pretty much everything she did. I love all things English anyway! My grandfather's side of the family came from there, so it's all part of my ancestry. I'll be right there in front of the TV when the wedding airs with both my girls!!
Oh Laura, thank you so much for todays post and for the delightful treats you have promised for the next few months. Well done you.
Me, Me, Meeeeee! I was a new bride my self that summer and was totally caught up in all the beauty and splendor. I so look forward to Wills marrying his love and having a the happy marriage we all wanted so badly for his mother. Ann
I already have the day scheduled off from work as I would not miss this for anything. I did watch his beloved mother marry and it was so beautiful..and they are marring on my husband birthday..
I have a lovely Valentine carriage I plan on posting close to that day, along with one I have made….I cant wait..
I will be visiting you every Wednesday Laura…this is so intersting!
Hi girl,
I was crazy over the wedding and watched every move they made. I woke to watch the wedding and set the alarm clock to awake for her funeral service and cried for days.
I feel as if a bit of all of us lived out our princess life through lady “Di” I felt for her misunderstood need for love, and her fight to save her boys from the world of on lookers.
Her son will carry on her memory into his new life.
Beautiful way to remember lady
“Di” and her England.
Love this post 🙂
PS… Do you have a bit of a hard time respecting prince Charles like I do? I think William is going to break through all the old ways and shake up things a bit 🙂
Have a great journey with life in England.
xx
Dore
Yes, I will also be attending (so to speak.)
My interest is not so much in the actors but the play itself, with all the costumes, music and marvelous sets.
that's for sure… I'm gonna be following fairies wednesday's…I remember his mom's wedding also….thanks for this brilliant idea.Hugs from Puerto rico
I live in Scotland and am delighted and amazed at the interest you all have for the royal family and especially the forthcoming wedding. I'm sure it will live up to your expectations.
I was 14 when “The Wedding” aired.
I sat transfixed, as well.
I would love to come on the carriage ride through the country side with you!
HOW EXCITING!
I am so trying to catch up on the blogs I follow. This caught my eye because I am such the Diana follower. I have boxes of magazines from my teenage to adult years with her. It was a fairy tale that I wanted to have a happy ending. I am so hoping that her boys will have the happy ending she never did.
I remember both weddings so well. Can’t wait for the next one. Great series, love how much you share.
I’ll look forward to this! I have a very big royals collection (including a magazine and newspaper clipping file on Diana that covered a good deal of her life, clipped in phases and such!), oodles of books, china and tins, Charles and Diana first-day stamps, you name it. I bet we’d have a right jolly old time if we got together and compared notes. (And I took the day off work for both royal weddings and Diana’s funeral. What can I say?)
Oh, I’m glad you’re doing this series!
Save a place for me! I lived in England as a teenager back in the 60’s and ever since then, have been fascinated with all things British . Especially British royalty!
I didn’t watch either of the two royal weddings, but I Cinderella was my favorite Disney character, even have her coffee mug. 🙂 I am happy to say my own Prince came into my life. ♥ I look forward to following, and hope the relationship is lasting for the Harry and Meghan. I believe William and Kate are solid.
I’ve always had an interest in the royal family as well. I will be glad to follow along with you in this new royal drama unfolding with Prince Harry and Miss Markle. So exciting for another little one to join the royal family as well. I’ve met you on IG and now I’m happy to meet you in blogland too 🙂 I enjoyed hearing about your memories with the royal family. Once Prince Charles and Princess Di came to visit our hometown, and I got to shake his hand! It was quite a thrilling moment! I really wanted to be on the side that Princess Di came down, but I was happy at least to shake his hand! Back then I didn’t have a camera, but it would have been a moment worth having on film!
Have a blessed New Year 🙂
I rose early and went to a friend’s house for a VERY early morning English breakfast and tea while we watched William and Kate. Will probably do the same for Harry & Megan lol. I’ve finished both seasons of the Crown and have been watching all of the documentaries out now on the royal fam. Very interesting!
Looking forward to the next wedding…
Hi Laura,
You bet I’ll come along! 😀 I’m an officially certified Anglophile, so I can’t wait to see what you share with us. I am a year older than Princess Diana, and I was in college when I, my sister, and my mom all got up early to watch the whole wedding in North Carolina (my dad was traveling on business at the time). I thought Diana was a beautiful bride, and I was very disillusioned when I found out how things really were between her and Charles. It seems like William and Kate have a much better, more loving and realistic relationship. I watched the broadcast of their wedding all day long, and Kate was just gorgeous. George and Charlotte are adorable. 🙂
I’ll look forward to your post next Wednesday! Have a great weekend, my friend!
Hugs,
Denise
Laura, the royal family truly is enchanting! I have never followed it vey much. I have loved learning more about the Queen after watching the crown. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Even with all the sadness and ugliness that floats to the surface, there’s something so magical about this slice of history. Thanks for bringing it to mind.
I became an Angliophie as a child when my mother’s BFF passed along English magazines that I devoured. My late Irish M-I-L also followed British royalty. I’m an avid Diana fan and have enjoyed watching her sons grow up. I haven’t yet forgotten my embarrassment as my carpenter arrived at my house to work; I was in tears watching Diana’s funeral.
I remember both weddings well. I really admired Princess Diana and all that she was able to endure. She was relatable and many ways (except for the crown 😉 ). I’ll probably catch glimpses of the next one, though I don’t suspect I’ll watch the whole thing. I admire the new couple and wish them all the best 🙂
Girl, I’m sighing and dreaming right along with you! I’m swept up into reading about the Royal s just like you. I miss Princess Di, but love reading all about Kate & Will, and now Harry and Meghan. Glad he’s finally settling down. It’ll be another Royal show. I set my alarm to get up and see Di get married, but couldn’t stay awake. How exciting it all was! Such a shame the Prince didn’t love his Princess too, but I believe the affection is there between Kate & Will. I’ll be watching right along with you when the next events occur.
I was in high school at the time. I remember news coverage but did not watch it live:) Sadly, I remember the news surrounding Di’s death more vividly. This new couple seems like the real deal! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
My mother, sister , and I set our clock and got up to watch the royal wedding also. I was like you, mesmerized with all the fanfare. I always enjoy your royal posts. You do a fantastic job. I look forward to this series.
I’m a total anglophile! I was born the year of Diana and Charles’ wedding, and I was devastated when she died. I was so obsessed with William and Kate’s wedding! #MM