one love/people get ready

How to attend a Royal Wedding, Scotland-style:

1. Wake up at 4 am. Think that's bad? See below.
2. No coffee. No liquids at all, for that matter. You cannot go to the "loo" once you get there or you will lose your precious front row spot.
3. Yes I was front row, nbd.
4. Bring lots of food. You cannot go buy food once you get there or you will lose your precious front row spot.
5. Bring lots of reading material. You will have to wait A LONG TIME (i.e. 9 hours).
6. Bring a cushion or fold-up chair to sit on. My "arse" is going to be numb for A LONG TIME.
7. Avoid the paparazzi, they are evil.
8. Make friends with the people around you in the crowd, they are a fun/crazy bunch.
9. Make friends with the security guy from the palace assigned to your section. He will tell you when to get out your cameras because the royals are on their way.
10. Royals move fast. Have camera at ready.
10.a. Try not to faint when Prince Harry drives by.

And here commences my coverage of The Other Royal Wedding:
The marriage of Princess Z and That Rugby Player.

{And I know Zara Phillips isn't officially a princess. But she is really. Like, I'm sorry, if you are the queen's granddaughter, you are a princess. Apparently Princess Anne didn't want her children to have titles or something. If I were Z.Phil, I would tell Mama A to get off her high horse (oh! a pun) and GIVE ME MY TITLE.}

I arrived in E-burgh on the early train.


And got myself a good seat on the curb right in front of the barrier.
I was pretty close, directly across from the Canongate Kirkyard.


Only the bloody paparazzi were given the spots
directly across from the kirk entrance.
This is my view, with entrance at far left.

People were in good spirits.


Some had even spent the night on the pavement!


We waited a long time.


The lucky people who live in the flats right
on Canongate were all having parties and
leaning out of their windows.


The paps prepared; this was the most
innovative viewpoint {and really high up} !


Police force increased.


Finally around 1ish, a series of coach buses pulled up
and the guests started piling out.


A selection of guests arriving...


Mostly those whose outfits/hats I liked.


There were quite a few kilts.


And les Scots cheered loudly every time they saw one.
OF COURSE.


Fab hat.


Fabber hat.


Fabbest hat; terrible posture.


Also stylin'.


The last bus was full of the majority of the
England rugby team and their glam wives.


Everyone was gathered in the kirkyard, chatting.


Then Mikey-poo arrived with his groomsmen.


They went into the kirkyard for photographs.


That's Peter Phillips, Princess Z's brother, cheesin' on the right.


They were laughing hysterically the whole time, it was adorbs.

Then the bagpiper arrived and Things Got Serious.
Our security guy from the palace told us,
"The Royals are coming now. Like within seconds.
Get your cameras ready!"


First up: Prince Edward & Sophie.
They are so smiley and sweet.

The cars went way too fast to photograph;
everyone was upset about that.
Next up was Prince Andrew and muh girls Bea & Eu.
Sadly I didn't get any pictures of them because of THIS:


THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT. PASSENGER SEAT.
We knew it was coming when screams of women spread up the Mile.
And I added to those screams.
HARRY HARRY HARRY OH MY GOD.
I LOVE HIM.


Artsy Royals Car Photo No. 1
[aka I was screaming and it's out of focus].
Harry shotgun, Wills & Kate in the back seat.


Wills & Kate arriving.


Stupid statue and security men kept obstructing
my view. Kate behind statue, Harry behind security man.


HARRY HARRY HARRY OH MY GOD.


Princess Anne on the right.


Charles & Camilla, hidden by Scottish flags.


You can see them here too, Charles on far right.


Then the bridesmaids.


So sweet.


And one little guy in a kilt.


And then, my man Prince Philip.


And Lizzy in peachy-pink.

CAN I JUST PAUSE HERE TO SAY THAT
I HAVE NOW SEEN THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND.


And then, fashionably late, Princess Z
emerged in a gorgeous cupcake of a dress.

[Now wait forty-five minutes or so as the service happens].


Then the newlyweds emerged from the kirk.


And I am still in shock I got this photo.
You have no idea how fast those royals move.


Princess Z & The Rugby Player heading to their reception
at Holyroodhouse. They had the windows open and
she was absolutely glowing.


Then Liz & Philip left.


Artsy Royals Car Photo No. 2.
Philip doing his royal wave from le car.


Wills, Kate, and Harry with Auntie Anne.


L-R: Anne, Wills, Harry on the side.


Anne and Wills & Kate.


GOD, KATE, YOUR HAT IS SO BIG IT IS
BLOCKING MY VIEW OF HARRY, NOT OKAY.


Doesn't her hat look like a halo here ?


Edward & Soph. Love her hat.


And that's it for le wedding.


It was madness on the Mile.


There were queues to get into the kirk
to see the floral arrangements.


So naturally I joined them.


I loved the floral frieze on the exterior.


It contained white roses for Mikey-poo's Yorkshire roots,
along with Scottish thistles.


Love.


And matching flowers inside.


Royal Simplicity.


Lots of people; lovely atmos in E-burgh today.

For a nice gallery of better-quality pictures than mine:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/gallery/2011/jul/30/zara-phillips-wedding-in-pictures#/?picture=377424835&index=0
It's a nice day for a [royal] wedding.
xx