Royal wedding fans gearing up to party
In a nuptial hoopla, viewers, companies plan get-togethers, events
NEW YORK— In pyjamas and old wedding gowns, with high tea or a bit of the early morning bubbly, royal watchers around the globe are fascinator-ready to watch the nuptials of Prince Harry and his unprecedented fiancée: Meghan Markle.
He’s the spare to the heir, soon to be booted to fifth in line for the throne, but Harry is forever the people’s prince to many inside and outside the Commonwealth who once wondered whether the bad boy of Windsor would ever tie the knot.
She, of TV Suits fame, has whipped up some big fan buzz, including those thrilled by her mixed-race heritage.
Their “woke” wedding (the Spice Girls are expected) is May 19 at midday, Windsor Castle time, or early morning over here. Viewing party plans are in the works, as are pricey hotel packages and bar meet-ups. The frenzied have their own Facebook groups and some have cajoled less-enthused spouses to jet across the pond to watch the pomp in person from a spot on the carriage route.
Julie Brillhart, a hardcore royal enthusiast in Hurricane, W.Va. (population 7,000, maybe), said she fired up her Harry and Meghan Facebook page to connect fans with parties back in November, “the minute I woke up in the morning and found out Meghan and Harry were engaged.” She and her twin sister now have nearly 5,000 members.
“We are in love with Meghan Markle,” said Brillhart, a former career logistics specialist in the Army. “For every little Black girl who has ever wanted her very own princess who is a wellknown, modern princess, they now have one. Isn’t that wonderful? She will always be our American princess.”
The group’s members share wedding updates and plans for gatherings, and they live in 91 countries on six of the seven continents.
In Indianapolis, legal assistant Kelly Bentley is on board. She’s married to a Brit. From North Yorkshire, to be exact. She’ll be the one in a crown as they sit at the bar of the Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant, sipping something yummy as the wedding unfolds.
“He doesn’t get as excited as I do,” she said. “It’s really fun that she’s from the United States. It’s that added connection. I got up early for William and Kate and the Charles and Diana wedding.”
Melissa Uhte, the Aristocrat’s general manager, said the place usually opens for breakfast at 8 a.m. but she’ll hang the welcome sign an hour early for the wedding. On the bar side, for those 21 and older, reservations were filling up for a royal brunch. On the restaurant side, kids are welcome. Royal attire is encouraged. Uhte’s 5-year-old daughter will be Elsa from Frozen.
“I’m going to try to squeeze into my wedding dress. I might have to wear a sweater to cover the back of it. It’s been nearly 15 years,” Uhte laughed. “There’s no shame. We’ve asked the moms to break out their wedding dresses, too.”
Gossip columnist Rob Shuter, a Brit, royal wedding podcaster and former executive editor of OK! Magazine, called the wedding excitement a slow burn in the U.S., though cheeky Harry has always held a special place in the hearts of many.
“I think this wedding is going to be a way for all of us to escape,” he said. “Who doesn’t need that right now?”