To wipe away your tears of joy...

The low-battery light flickered on my rented cell-phone. Strange, I thought I had charged it the night before. The guests were arriving and I was trying to tweet but the phone kept getting slower and slower. Despite being plugged into the wall the phone powered off completely. Frustrated I gave up on tweeting. I was disappointed in not being able to share in the event with other royal bloggers. But I had no choice, the phone was dead. It would be several hours before I would get a replacement.

I did not have a plan for the day. Sure I'd thought of going to Hyde Park, or potentially taking a spot at the Mall. While there were screens set up in Hyde Park, in the Mall I would have had to wait to find out what Kate's dress looked like. So I stayed put in the hotel. Not wanting to miss a moment I ate a bag of crisps for my breakfast.

"To wipe away your tears of joy"

Once they had been pronounced man and wife I decided to head out. My hotel wasn't far from Buckingham Palace and as I was walking towards it, a girl was handing out samples of Kleenex. As she handed it to me, she said:

 'To wipe away your tears of joy'.

I'm not sure I would go that far. She had probably been handing these samples out all morning and there was little inflection in her voice, her tone was bored as she said the phrase and the incongruity of it stuck with me.

Maybe she was bored to tears?

As I headed towards Buckingham Palace, the crowd of people got thicker. With people in front and behind, personal space was now non-existent. Not a place to be if you're claustrophobic. Complete gridlock. I turned around and tried a different approach, walking along a street where the foreign dignitaries cars were parked.  People were gathered around a few of the cars, looking in the windows, presumably watching the ceremony with the driver.

I kept walking. There were people everywhere, along with police wearing florescent yellow vests. Every so often I would find myself in a sea of people slowly moving forward, direction unknown. I started to envy Kate, if only for the fact that she would never have to get stuck walking in a crowd this size ever again. But no one was pushing or shoving, everyone was calmly making their way towards the same direction. Occasionally the crowds would disperse and I could breathe again. I looked at my surroundings.  Somehow I had made it to Hyde Park.The ceremony was over and people were leaving. I spotted the tents where the official programmes were being sold.

I went to London and all I got to show for it was....

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

The Royal Wedding Report for Sunday May 8, 2011

After months of speculation surrounding the ceremony, on April 29th Prince William and Catherine Middleton finally became husband and wife. The momentous occasion was filled with beautiful music and memorable moments. From Catherine's dress, to the ceremony, to the atmosphere in London, on this episode a recap of the royal wedding day.

You can listen to the episode here:

The Royal Wedding Report - Recap

Publications mentioned

London Evening Standard Friday April 29, 2011

The Sun Friday April 29, 2011

Hello! Canada - Special Double Issue - The Royal Wedding

Hello! Royal Wedding Special Commemorative Edition

British GQ - Cover story - Prince harry is Walking with the Wounded

From My Royal Collection

Kate and Wills Up the Aisle by Alison Jackson

Websites mentioned

For more details on Kate's dress and the ceremony go to the Official Royal Wedding Website


Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report for Sunday May 15th, 2011 at 9:00PM ET (North America).

The topic will be: Royal Wedding Dress Designers

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

How long have you been out here for?

'How long have you been out here for?' A reporter asked, as she shoved a microphone into the face of a woman wearing a union jack hat with a homemade banner attached to the railings. Clearly enjoying the attention the woman smiled, giving the same answer she probably gave to all reporters who came by. 

Other reporters and camera crews were doing similar things to anyone with a creatively decorated sign or tent. Cameras were set up on scaffolds surrounding the Victoria memorial. Those that weren't were in the green media studios set up to cover the event outside Buckingham Palace. Groups of people stood behind those studios, waving signs and cheering to get on TV. Occasionally the crowd would be rewarded with a smile and a wave from the on-air personality.

Just off to the side of these studios, behind gates, stood huge satellite dishes and news caravans that hummed. Walking along Constitution Hill, Green Park, a peaceful retreat from the hoopla. Shaded, cool and quiet it didn't seem as though it was in the same area. Walking back towards Buckingham Palace, it was warm outside and I wished I'd left my coat back at the hotel. Except that it could, and did, turn cool at times.

There was an enormous amount of people, though not as many as there would be this time tomorrow. Nothing was happening. Maybe they were here for the same reason I was. Not to stake a claim on the pavement but to observe, take pictures and like me, savor the moment of just being there.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Whatever you do, don't go to sleep!

'What ever you do, DON'T go to sleep!'

My husband's warning came into my head as I started to doze off in the hotel room. Just five more minutes I thought to myself. It was 10AM London time, 5AM back home. I had barely slept on the flight. No wonder I was tired. At least I had survived the underground. Mainly thanks to the kindness of strangers, something I would rely on many times through this trip.

But I hadn't come to London to sleep. I sat up, grabbed my cell phone and camera and headed out the door. My hotel was near enough to Buckingham Palace, about a 15 minute walk. I didn't need a map to find it. I only needed to look down the road to see the royal standard flapping in the wind.

As I walked along the sidewalk, multiple souvenir shops caught my eye. William and Kate on every conceivable item imaginable. There were knockoffs of Kate's ring, knockoff commemorative coins, hats, magnets, and condoms. Yes, condoms - holy buzz killer!

Heading further along I found a tea shop selling William and Kate tea bags, then the Buckingham Palace shop. Utopia for those searching for the tasteful items. The store was small and crowded and I hugged my purse close to my body lest I knock over something tastefully expensive.  I made a mental note to come back when it was less crowded.

A few blocks down the road I finally arrived at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Royal Standard on the flagpole. Beyond the imposing black gates an immaculate gravel forecourt. And there was the famous balcony. By this time the next day, the newly married William and Kate would share a kiss for the world to see.

By the looks of it, I wasn't the only one imagining the same thing.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

I'm in London, baby!

"What is the purpose of your visit?" 

Steeling myself for the suspicious look and potential interrogation, I replied, "I'm here for the royal wedding."

The customs agent smiled and stamped my passport.

Hmm, very different reaction to the one I received when I went to New York for Jerramy Fine's book signing.

Obviously in this instance, customs wasn't going to ask me what the resolution to William and Kate's particular situation would be. This agent wasn't chewing gum either, nor did she have a moustache.

So I'd arrived in London. What began as a crazy idea was now a reality. What on earth was I thinking? Jet-lagged and unfamiliar with my surroundings I regrouped for a moment before braving the underground. I had been dreading this part. Back home a map filled with a labyrinth of multicolored tube lines had filled me with anxiety. I had gotten lost on the New York subway system, how would I ever manage this one?

But I had to get to my hotel. So I asked a ticket agent what the easiest way to get to Victoria station was. As he gave me directions he asked where I was from.

"Canada! One of my relatives is a government minister" he said proudly, writing the surname of his kin on the back of a receipt for me. Presumably so I could share in his pride when I returned home. I stuffed the paper into my purse, took a deep breath and headed for the gates.

There was no way of knowing where I would end up.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

William and Kate, wait for me!

After careful consideration of every ones comments (thank you) on my indecisive post about going to London, I have decided to cross the pond and celebrate the royal wedding with William and Kate. Just in case you're wondering. No, I don't have a ticket to their wedding.

It's a crazy thing to do but it's also a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the royal family doing what they do best - riding on horses and keeping things shiny. Royal weddings do not happen all the time and I don't expect to see a wedding of this scale anytime soon.

I also think that one day, this episode will make a good chapter in my as yet unwritten memoir. Not to mention a pivotal scene in the movie-of-the-week of my life starring the lovely Julia Emma Roberts.

While I'm away in London, probably getting lost on the tube as we speak, the lovely Cinderella from the World of Royalty website, World of Royalty Blog, Royal News Blog and a fabulous contributor to The Kate Middleton Report, will be updating this site and the Kate blog with information from the wedding day.

I shall also attempt to tweet live during the royal wedding and you can follow my royal wedding updates on Twitter at marilynsrylblog

© Marilyn Braun 2011

 Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

UK or Bust? To go or not to go

I've never been one of those people who is very good at making up my own mind, especially when it comes to things that are outside of my comfort zone. I'm more of a jump now, think later type of person. Which is not necessarily a bad thing except for having to live with the consequences of those impulse choices.

Since the royal engagement I have had several people asking me if I'm going to London to watch the wedding. I've always answered no. Not necessarily because it's a bad idea, it just seems like an unrealistic thing to do. Even my husband has asked me if I'm going to London, and again I've always answered no.

My plan was to wake up at an ungodly hour, make a pot of coffee and sit on the couch watching every moment, while blogging and tweeting about it. I'd thought of doing a live royal report but then I realized no one is likely to be listening to me and I didn't really want the distraction.

Despite these plans, something shifted inside of me recently. The other day I was interviewed by a journalist about people who go to the UK for the wedding. The reporter wanted my view on why people go and what kind of people go. I answered that it's the ultimate place to celebrate the royal wedding. The type of people who go might be royalists, young or old, who would like to be part of a historic event - even if it means watching it over people's heads in a crowd of thousands.

As I answered I started to realize that I wanted to be one of those people too! This thought occurring to me TWO weeks before the wedding. I wanted to go to London to join in the festivities. Crazy idea? Some would say, but I had the support of my husband and that's really what counts. Once the practicalities are dealt with, there is little to stop me from going. There is nothing standing in my way.

Other than myself.

I looked at flight and hotel options and found they were, surprisingly, reasonably priced. I've only been to London once and that was only for 3 days. I don't know anyone there. It would just be me and several thousand strangers celebrating one of the biggest television events in history. I've read of other people going, with a mixture of envy and puzzlement. Why would you want to go? You won't see anything? It's too crowded. Now I wondered these same things about myself.

I've only encountered this situation once before. I was invited to a book launch party by Jerramy Fine, author of the book Someday My Prince Will Come. However, the party was in New York City. I wasn't planning on going. I tried to think of several reasons not to go - I would need to fly there, I'd never travelled by myself before, it just seemed too extravagant a thing to do. I didn't know anyone there. I'd never even met Jerramy before nor had I read her book. Then my sense of adventure took over. Why not do it? I'd always wanted to go to New York City. I was there for all of two days and despite getting lost on the subway on more than one occasion, I had a great time. Would I do it again? You bet!

This situation is a different story. It's a longer trip, much more expensive, and maybe the reasons are not as easy to justify. It doesn't stop me from wanting to go, it just makes me wonder whether I should. I don't have a lot of time to make up my mind. I try and make a mental pro and con list without coming to any real conclusion. It's a once in a lifetime trip. I wouldn't normally do something like this. So this post, is a way of debating the pros and cons out in the open. OK, and maybe getting some objective feedback too!

Or maybe I just need to get out of my own way...

UPDATE: I will be going to London to celebrate the royal wedding! Thank you for all of your encouraging words! :)

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.Read more...

The Royal Report for Sunday March 20th, 2011 - Royal Focus: Buckingham Palace

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Did you know that the palace has 775 rooms? Or that it has its own cinema, post office and chapel? Come behind the gates and learn more about Buckingham palace on this episode.

You can listen to the episode here:

Royal Focus: Buckingham Palace

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 210 21 March 2011

Website mentioned

The Official site for The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

From My Royal Collection

Buckingham Palace The Palace And Its Royal Residents In Photgraphs

Resources used to research this episode

The Official Website of the British Monarchy - Royal Residences - Buckingham Palace

The Royal Encyclopedia

Buckingham Palace: The Place and the People

Inside Buckingham Palace/the Private World of the Royal Family

Crown and Country: A Personal Guide to Royal London

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 27, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: With the well documented marital history of the House of Windsor, does Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage stand a chance of being successful?

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Win a copy of Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine

The Sunday September 5th, 2010 episode of The Royal Report featured an interview with Jerramy Fine, author of the book Someday My Prince Will Come, the True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess.

Listen to the episode to find out how you can win a copy of her book.

The Royal Report for Sunday September 5th, 2010 - An Interview With Jerramy Fine

© Marilyn Braun 2010