Our man in London – and everywhere else in the world – British-born WAG Wanderer Jeremy Wayne sent us this report before returning to the States:
“It feels good to be in London, England, this week. On Saturday, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, better known as Prince Harry, is marrying the American actress Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle, 20 miles away to the west, and the mood of excitement in the British capital is palpable. Piccadilly is lined with bunting (Union Jack flags hung between the buildings on opposite sides of the street in a rousing display of patriotism); suburban streets are being set up with long trestle tables for street parties (where that peculiarly British dish, curried ‘coronation’ chicken – always rolled out for royal occasions – will doubtless be served); and the gorgeous spring sunshine is putting a smile on everyone’s face. Windsor on Saturday is forecast to be warmer than California. “Reports to the contrary, the British have taken Meghan to their hearts and any hurt she’s feeling at not having her father, Thomas, walk her down the aisle, the sympathetic British public seems to share with her. Everyone I know wants to tell Thomas Markle Sr. they couldn’t care less about his paparazzi boo-boo, give him a big hug and reassure him he is still welcome in Britain any time.
“Harry and Meghan’s obvious love for one another is infectious and seems to have rubbed off on all of us, so that for a few days at least we can forget Brexit and the plummeting pound and enjoy the general spirit of jollity. Surly shopkeepers are conspicuously chirpier this week; bad-tempered bus drivers are buoyant. Love, along with an unusually high pollen count, is definitely in the air.”
Back on this side of the Pond, Americans are in a celebratory mood, too.
The Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown will be serving a traditional English breakfast, brunch and high tea at the hotel’s restaurant, Equus, on Saturday, May 19 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine on Scottish smoked salmon, kippers, scones, crumpets, Champagne and, of course, tea as you watch the wedding live. Guests can also take photographs with a life-size Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cutout. For reservations, call 914-631-3646.
You can also celebrate the royal wedding with your own personal lemon elderflower cake (the same flavor from the couple’s wedding) from Stew Leonard’s. Bethy’s Bakery’s Royal Cake is a six-inch, two-layer cake decorated with buttercream frosting and topped with baby’s breath and sugar flowers. The Royal Cake will be available for $19.99 through Saturday, May 19, 2018 at all Stew Leonard’s locations. (We at WAG ordered two to enjoy today with some Twinings’ English Afternoon Tea in anticipation of the occasion.)
Just in case haven’t had enough prep on this subject – or might suffer from wedding withdrawal Saturday night – ABC’s “20/20” has you covered with “The Royal Wedding: Legacy and Love” airing Friday, May 18 at 10 p.m. ET and “The Royal Wedding: A Modern Fairytale” on Saturday, May 19 at 10 p.m. ET.
But why stop here? Make it a royal weekend with an American twist. The British love their gardens and their horses. “Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai’i” opens Saturday, May 19 and runs through Oct. 28 at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. For more, visit nybg.org.
As if your Saturday isn’t momentous enough, Kentucky Derby winner Justify is the favorite once again going into The Preakness at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Post time is 6:20 p.m. Justify – trained by Bob Baffert, trainer of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah — became the first horse since Apollo 135 years ago to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a 2 year old. The question now is, Can Justify become the first undefeated horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to win the Triple Crown? The Preakness is his next test.
Equestrian lovers will also want to head up to Old Salem Farm in North Salem this weekend for the conclusion of the Spring Horse Shows. For more, visit oldsalemfarm.net.
And finally, we wanted to share something of a royal coincidence with you. Page 72 of Town & Country’s “American Princess: Meghan Markle,” on newsstands and at Barnes & Noble, carries a photograph of Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier that clearly shows one of her bridesmaids, the model Carolyn Scott. She was the mother of Nyna Giles – a former ad representative at Westfair Communications, WAG’s parent company – whose new book “The Bridesmaid’s Daughter: From Grace Kelly’s Wedding to a Women’s Shelter, Searching for the Truth About My Mother” was the subject of a February WAG feature. Recently, Nyna told her story to the “Today” show’s Megyn Kelly.
Way to go, Nyna. We’re proud of you.
– Georgette Gouveia
