On 29th April 2011 the world watched with delight as the royal romance of Prince William and Catherine Middleton lasting nearly a decade finally culminated in their marriage at Westminster Abbey with much pomp and pageantry.
The Royal Wedding a memorable most grand, glamorous and spectacular event brought people into London from Britain and across the globe. Many people camped outside the Abbey and Buckingham Palace to participate in the outdoor party atmosphere and get a good view of Prince William, Catherine and the wedding event. I'd gone the day before the Wedding to Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey where the campers and media were set up and recorded the goings-on, demos and captivating scenes on camera.
World Press covering The Royal Wedding operated from temporary stalls outside the Abbey and Buckingham Palace, the Press diligently reporting every move and detail relating to the Wedding and interviewing campers and visitors as depicted in my photos. The media were also in full force outside Clarence House and the Goring Hotel where Catherine and her family were staying.
Every wedding is a very special day for any couple but this Royal Wedding almost a state occasion was unequalled and stage-managed with the help of battalions of people who carried out tasks with military precision and much frenzied activity behind the scenes to create the fairy tale magic for the happy couple.
On the day, Catherine the bride looked radiant and beautiful arriving at the Abbey in her charming, elegant dress of soft ivory satin and lace whilst Prince William looked dashing in his scarlet Irish Guards uniform. That ‘moment' when the loving couple took their wedding vows was seen by people around the planet and beyond in outer space...
The majestic Abbey adorned with trees and shades of white blossoms this blessed house of kings rocked with the Wedding party, members of the Royal Family, the numerous VIP's, dignitaries, celebrities and clergy all looking magnificent during the Wedding Service which finished with a fantastic fanfare. Haute couture along scented pews ‘A' listers choristers and clergy too.
The happily married couple now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to Buckingham Palace in a 1902 landau to the mirth and excitement of cheering crowds along the route. Later the Mall was crammed with people making their way to Buckingham Palace to see the newly-weds and their families appear on the Balcony. And on "this day of joy" the flag-waving waiting masses weren't disappointed and saw the inevitable, clamoured-for Balcony kiss...es bringing to a close this dream come true for the mesmerised couple for whom it must have been a great honour and privilege to have been married in this manner reserved for royalty.
The entire Royal Wedding a historic, majestic spectacle and paean of old tradition was a resounding success and a refreshing welcome pause and distraction for the nation. My daughter Gina and I had sent our best wishes to the happy couple prior to the Wedding along with one of my latest poems That Wondrous Feeling written for any couple ‘in love.'
It was a long, hot weekend of weddings and on Monday 2nd May Gina and I went to an exotic and colourful Gujarati wedding where Gina was a bridesmaid which was a lively private event and perfect close to the historic bank holiday.
© By Amita Chatterji.
That Wondrous Feeling
What is that feeling so intense
It makes you want to sing with joy,
That ineffable feeling so intense
Is it one of Cupid's ploy.
What is the thrill that drives you now
It makes your innards flutter,
What is that churning in your guts
It's turning you into butter.
What are those jingled jangled moments
That makes you sweetly smile,
So lost in confusion, you wonder
Whether to phone or wait a while.
What are those dreams full of
"Sugar and spice and all things nice"
Perhaps going to be lucky in love
So, roll out the dice.
What is that feeling so intense
It touches your life and you're smitten,
Eros proffers molten romance and
Euphoric times ahead are written.
What is that feeling so intense
Transcends hunger and pure passion,
That wondrous feeling so intense
Ever en trend and in fashion
It's simply - being in love, in love, in love...
© By Amita Chatterji
Quote "Sugar and spice and all things nice" from a Beatles song
Above poem sent with Gina Chrysanthou's letter dated 28/02/ 2011 to Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton Esq., M.V.O., M.B.E., Private Secretary to HRH Prince William of Wales and HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Pics below relating to the Royal Wedding article:
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Pics below from special Royal Wedding exhibition at Harrods:
