A Royal Round-Up

Yesterday, like millions around the globe, we tuned in to watch the highly publicised ‘Wedding of the Year’, and here at Just Bespoke, we couldn’t contain our excitement. The expectation and anticipation for William and Kate’s big day was enormous – and we had front row seats (thanks to a combination of the BBC, ITV and Sky).

We sat. We watched. We waited.

And we were not disappointed. Like many of you I imagine, we oohhedd and aahhhed our way through their day from watching Prince William and Prince Harry proudly saluting on their drive to Westminster Abbey, to catching the first glimpse of that dress as Catherine left The Goring Hotel.

We smiled at Kate’s enthusiasm as her fairytale came true, we were touched by how proud Michael Middleton appeared as he carefully walked his daughter up the aisle and we laughed with them as the crowds shouted for more kisses from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. We have never felt more proud to be British, and secretly, we have never wanted to be part of a wedding so much as we did yesterday…it was the fairytale ending that every little girl dreams of and it made us realise, as corny as it sounds, that dreams really can come true.

There were so many highlights from the day, and every time we watch the wedding (thanks to copious replays on TV), we find new things that we love. Here are our top three picks…

1. The fashion
Never has there been so much secrecy, so much speculation and so much excitement around a wedding dress before. The rumours were rife, the predictions plentiful and the expectation elevated as the wedding day got closer. The nation craned for a glimpse as Kate got into the waiting car but it wasn’t until 11am when she pulled up outside the Abbey with her father that the news broke…Sarah Burton, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen had made the dress. Her name had been linked to the wedding for weeks but with no confirmation we were all left waiting. And what a wait it was. But as the future Queen of England emerged from the car we saw the dress in all it’s glory; long lace sleeves, a strapless corset and a full-bodied skirt, accompanied by a long veil and a 9ft train. Resemblances have been made to Grace Kelly and imitations are already in production, but needless to say, Catherine looked stunning.

And, we can’t talk about fashion without mentioning Pippa Middleton – Catherine’s sister and Maid of Honour. She stole the show and set a new trend for bridesmaid dresses – simple, elegant but totally striking…and her dress for the evening reception provided the same wow factor.

2. The unique touches
Royal weddings are usually quite serious and closed affairs but right from the beginning we knew that Kate and William wanted to do things differently. This was evident from the moment that they announced their engagement to the World – giving their families only a few hours notice. Throughout the wedding day, there were a number of moments when we saw the young couple doing it their way. From the double kiss on the balcony to leaving Buckingham Palace with William driving his new wife away in Prince Charles’ Aston Martin sports car with balloons tied to the back and a Just Married number plate on the rear.

3. Tender Moments
Throughout the day there were a number of touching moments between both the couple and their wedding party…from Catherine Middleton giving her father’s hand a big squeeze as they set off on their journey to the Abbey, to Prince Harry updating his brother as Kate made her last few steps up the aisle towards the alter. And we can’t forget the loving moments between the two; Prince William whispering to Catherine as she joined him at the alter “You look absolutely beautiful”, Kate giving William a knowing look as the Archbishop of Canterbury talked of the couple’s future together, not to mention the beaming smiles of the couple as they made their way to the doors of Westminster Abbey to be greeted by the public.

However, one of the most iconic images has to be that of Grace van Cutsem as she stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, listening to the chants and applauds of the public below and the roar of the fly-over, just wanting a bit of peace and quiet…

So as the newlyweds enjoy their first full day as husband and wife, here at Just Bespoke, all that is left for us to do is to wish the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a very happy, fun and healthy future together…we hope you are able to keep some semblance of privacy and normalcy and we look forward to what your future will bring!

A beautiful fairytale and a truly memorable love story.

Credits:
Kate & William: AP via The Daily Mail
Pippa Middleton: Reuters, Getty Images and Carl Fox via The Daily Telegraph
The balcony kiss: AFP / Getty Images via Daily Mail
The car: AP via Daily Mail
Grace van Cutsem: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images via OK
Family Photograph: Official photograph by Hugo Burnand