Britain basks in afterglow of royal wedding
LONDON — Unwilling to kiss Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding goodbye, Britain basked Sunday in the scale of the spectacle.
The newlyweds were expected to return to their home at Kensington Palace in London on Sunday. Markle’s bridal bouquet was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at the British capital’s Westminster Abbey.
But anyone with a lingering case of royal wedding fever could join the tourists and locals soaking up the romantic mood and continued sunshine in the town of Windsor, where Saturday’s wedding and post-service carriage procession were held.
Good wishes poured in from around the world.
The wedding was the only topic of the day in Britain’s newspapers and on its television networks. The tone of the press coverage was congratulatory, with publications taking pride in the evident British flair for producing memorable events with fantastic settings and split-second precision.
The royal family, understandably thrilled by the good weather and good will, expressed gratitude to the visitors and viewers who came to Windsor or tuned in via TV.
“Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world,” the royals said.
After the big day, Queen Elizabeth II returned to her normal routine. She was driven back to Windsor Castle after attending a Sunday morning church service.
The designer of Markle’s deceptively simple wedding gown and elaborate veil said Sunday that she received the special commission in early January and managed to keep it secret not only from the inquisitive British press, but from her family.
Harry and Markle spent their first night as a married couple at Windsor Castle. They are breaking with tradition by delaying a honeymoon. Before the wedding, Markle said she wanted to take up royal duties immediately.
They plan to fulfill their first royal work engagement as a married couple Tuesday, when they attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace to honor Prince Charles and his charity work. Charles’ 70th birthday is later this year.