O Happy Day!
Happiness prevailed in England and abroad throughout the wedding weekend of Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, (a.k.a. Prince Harry) to Rachel Meghan Markle, (a.k.a. Meghan Markle).
Our Brit pub regulars were ecstatic, celebrating the marriage and delighted with the government’s extension of legal pub hours from 11pm to 1am to commemorate the occasion by permitting toasts with another drink or two.
A British aristocrat, 33, fell in love with a a divorced American actress, 36. Bringing back memories of history books chronicling the abdication of King Edward VII after eleven months on the throne to marry the divorced Wallis Warfield Simpson, when divorce was taboo for the royal family.
Life is change, as the world moves forward.
Prince Harry and Meghan married at noon at St. George’s Chapel in the greening Windsor countryside 20 miles west of London.
Gorgeous weather, without a drizzle of rain.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby presided over the vows, witnessed by the royal family that included Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, Prince William and Duchess Catherine (Kate). Along with their young heirs to the throne: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, although baby Prince Louis remained in nursing mode. Prince Harry is sixth in line for succession to the crown.
Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor in Los Angeles, appeared warmly moved as she observed the formal ceremony of her adored daughter joining the historic British royal family. Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., the lighting director, was unable to attend.
The intense curiosity surrounding the wedding gown quieted after it was revealed that a Brit, Clare Waight Keller, now with the House of Givenchy in Paris, spent five months conferring with Meghan about the couture creation of double bonded silk. Meghan paid for the gown, with estimated guesses ranging from a quarter of a million dollars or more.
Keller designed the elegant trailing veil that included embroidered flowers at the hem representing each of the 53 countries in the Commonwealth.
The bride and groom selected much of the music (Stand By Me) for the three-hour-plus ceremony. Followed by a standing reception hosted by the Queen at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.
Evening celebrations included tearful and naughty speeches by Prince Charles and Prince William.
The cost for the wedding’s considered to be in the range of $45 million with $41 million budgeted for security.
For the time being, the newlyweds are living in Nottingham Cottage, a handsome-two bedroom house with one bathroom on the edge of Kensington Palace. Not far from William and Kate’s larger residence. Gossipists speculate that they may move to Luckington Court, near Highgrove House where Prince Harry lived with his parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, during his childhood.
After Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, the manor house was quickly taken off the market.
Insiders report that it was featured in Collin Firth’s film of Pride And Prejudice.
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On our side of the pond, Joanna Carson created the glamorous cowboy shirts for the 65 members of her long-dedicated charity SHARE, that supports organizations that help those in need, particularly children.
Joanna gifted the shirts to her loyal SHARE members, who she welcomed to the roomful of guests at The Beverly Hilton, ballroom. Where SHARE was celebrating it’s 65th Boomtown 2018, fetching more than a million dollars for good will. Adding to the mulit-millions raised through the decades.
The Righteous Brothers entertained, as did Motown favorites Martha and the Vandellas.
Joanna announced that SHARE has recruited any number of loyal young members who are contributing hours of their days and evenings to assisting SHARE’s beneficiaries.
SHARE president Corinna Fields delivered a heartwarming reminiscence.
Before she was crowned Miss Greece in 1964, she vowed in her prayer to God that if she won, she would spend her life looking after children. Which she is doing. Nobly with SHARE.
Standing ovation. Tremendous applause.
Onward, dear lovely ladies to the 66th Boomtown jamboree next May.