There is no one who does pomp, circumstance and spectacle better than the English. And the reason seems to be: practice, practice, practice.
In the very early hours of Wednesday morning thousands of soldiers, sailors (and candlestick makers?) took part in a full-scale dress rehearsal for the royal wedding. Here’s a little taste brought to you by The Royal Channel:
The action began around 5 AM, when hundreds of horsemen left Westminster’s Wellington Barracks, eventually, making their way down the home stretch that runs from the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey.
The royal Rolls Royce (that has an awesome crown on top which makes it resemble a very upscale taxi) was also involved in the run through, with an unidentified dark haired woman standing in for Kate.
Post “ceremony”, the Household Cavalry led the cars and the open carriage (that will, hopefully, be in use, if the rain stays away) through the arch of Horse Guards Parade, along the Mall and back to Buckingham Palace. The practice was capped off by a fly-by from the RAF – but no Buckingham balcony kiss which, apparently, Kate and Wills do not need to rehearse.
The clergy will, reportedly, be staging their own run through at Westminster Abbey today. I could not confirm rumours that David Beckham will be standing in for God.
