SUPER FAN COUNTS DOWN TO WEDDING
PRINCE Henry Heights resident Barb McGovern jokes she couldn’t be anything but a Royalist given her address, but her love for the British Royal Family stretches back decades.
And today, as Prince Harry marries his beloved Meghan Markle, Ms McGovern will be watching the latest instalment in the life and times of the Royal Family.
“Everyone has watched William and Harry grow up, we’re very strongly connected to the Diana story if you’re interested in the Royal family,” she says.
Ms McGovern will be one of millions around the world watching the wedding of the decade.
FOR Barb McGovern, the Royal Wedding is the long-awaited football grand final for any keen fan.
Watching the love story of Prince Harry and his bride-tobe Meghan Markle evolve over the past two years will today lead to St George’s Chapel on the Windsor Castle grounds.
And from the quiet of her own world, surrounded by Royal Family memorabilia lovingly collected over decades, Ms McGovern will be watching every second of the wedding of the decade.
“Any Royal event is really exciting in my world,” she said. “This is exciting. “Everyone has watched William and Harry grow up, we’re very strongly connected to the Diana story if you’re interested in the Royal family.
“Harry has had his moments and people like him because he’s probably like a lot of mothers’ sons.
Ms McGovern has a lifelong respect and adoration for the Royal Family that began for her when the Queen visited Australia.
“She was a woman and she was young, there was the history ... then as time has gone on, there’s been interesting aspects of life which has certainly challenged them which we’re all very aware of.
“And I guess it’s just looking at their family and wondering how they overcome the challenges and seeing the strength of the Queen through all those years she’s been at the head of the family.”
That adoration took her to London outside Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine in 2011.
Through the many trials and tribulations, scandals and sentiments, Ms McGovern has followed it all and will mark today’s Royal Wedding with a high tea, cucumber sandwiches and special cake.
“It’s something you pick up on. The stories are there, the books come out, you have a connection (that) I can’t really explain,” she said.