LONDON – From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, royal fans lined the
streets of London by the tens of thousands Friday, hoping to snatch a glimpse of
history as Prince William weds Kate Middleton in a marriage expected to revive
Britain's beleaguered monarchy.
A third of the planet was to watch as the future king and queen of England
start their lives as husband and wife with the two simple words "I will," ending
months of buildup and sealing their love with the most public of spectacles.
All the clamoring over every detail — the wedding dress, her hair, her
makeup, the romantic kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the honeymoon —
finally will be answered.
Save perhaps for the biggest question of all: Is this one royal couple who
will live happily ever after?
Will their union endure like that of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,
now in its 64th year, or crumble spectacularly like that of Prince Charles and
Lady Diana Spencer, William's own parents?
Recent history augurs badly: The first marriages of three of the queen's four
children ended in divorce. But the couple's chemistry brings confidence that
this one will work.
William and Kate look fantastic together, seeming to glow with happiness in
each other's company, and unlike Charles and Diana they've had eight years to
figure out they're made for each other.
But the fate of their marriage will depend on private matters impossible for
the public to gauge amid the hoopla. A beautiful bridal gown and eye-popping
sapphire and diamond engagement ring do not guarantee a happy ending. Money,
power, beauty — it can all go wrong if not carefully nurtured.
Much will depend on whether 28-year-old William and 29-year-old Kate can
summon the things every couple needs to make a marriage work: patience, love,
wit and wisdom. But they face pressures most of the world doesn't: the twin
burdens of fame and scrutiny.
These are the thorny issues upon which the fate of the monarchy rests, as the
remarkable Queen Elizabeth II, now 85, inevitably ages and declines.
With just hours to go, dedicated royal watchers camped outside got an
unexpected surprise — a visit from Prince William.
The groom-to-be emerged from his residence Thursday night to greet the hordes
of well-wishers gathered along the processional route. Dressed in khakis and
grinning broadly, William shook countless hands as his photo was snapped on cell
phones and digital cameras.
By dawn on Friday, crowds were awake and waving flags for television cameras
under steely gray skies. Technicians ran last-minute checks on huge television
screens that will broadcast the ceremony at Trafalgar Square.
Despite the forecast of scattered showers, William and Kate Middleton will
brave the elements and travel from the abbey to Buckingham Palace in an
open-topped carriage, royal officials said.
Everything is set: The rehearsals have been held, the cakes have been baked,
the toast of the best man (William's brother Harry) written, suits and uniforms
pressed, hats carefully chosen, shoes buffed, flowers arranged and the champagne
put on ice for two exclusive receptions at Buckingham Palace.
Hundreds of street parties are planned as Britons celebrate part of the
heritage that makes them unique — and overseas visitors come to witness
traditions they've admired from afar.
"It's part of history," said Norene Shultis of Madison, Wis., who arrived in
London Thursday after an overnight flight. "It's so different from the United
States. We don't have royalty. And we think William and Kate will be a good
couple and do lots of good things and live happily ever after."
The government has declared a national holiday, universally welcomed by
schoolchildren, and there has been a marked proliferation of Union Jacks in the
last week as London spruces up for the big event, which has drawn thousands of
journalists and hundreds of thousands of visitors from overseas.
Some 1,900 immaculately dressed guests, including fellow royals from around
the world, a smattering of pop stars, sports idols and dignitaries, will jam
Westminster Abbey.
Though the designer of Middleton's dress remains a mystery, William surprised
royal watchers with the announcement that he was wearing the scarlet tunic of an
Irish Guards officer. Observers had expected the groom, a highly trained
helicopter rescue pilot, to wear his navy blue air force uniform.
William's choice of ceremonial military dress sends a strong signal of his
support for the armed forces, reinforcing his preferred image as a dedicated
military man and distancing him from past characterizations as a club-hopping
party boy.
A number of famous people were left off the guest list, including President
Barack Obama and most other world leaders. Also not invited were Britain's last
two prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, in a snub to their Labour
Party, which traditionally is not as strong a backer of the monarchy as the
ruling Conservatives. The invitation for Syria's ambassador was rescinded
Thursday because of Britain's unhappiness with the bloody government crackdown
in his country.
The wedding is expected to be watched by 2 billion people across the globe
and draw a million well-wishers — as well as some protesters — into the historic
environs surrounding Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and other London
landmarks.
The celebration will be British to the core, from the freshly polished
horse-drawn carriages to the sausages and lager served at street parties. Some
pubs were opening early, offering beer and English breakfasts — sausages, beans,
toast, fried eggs and bacon — to wedding fans who wanted to watch it on TV.
The public festivities reflected Britons' continuing fascination with the
royal family, which despite its foibles remains a powerful symbol of unity and
pride. AP
