Any wedding requires attention to detail, but perhaps none more so than one
that is under intense public scrutiny and subject to standards of history
and protocol. The preparations that culminate with Friday's wedding
have been intense, undertaken by a small army of professionals, members
of the Palace staff, and others, because pomp and circumstance don't
just happen.
Flowers are an important part of any wedding, and according to the official royal wedding site,
the engaged couple have asked London-based floral designer Shane
Connolly to design the floral decorations which will be on display at
both Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace (Mr. Connolly also designed
the floral decorations for the marriage of Prince Charles to Camilla).
When she enters Westminster Abbey, Kate is going to walk down an aisle
of trees - two hornbeams and six English field maples - which will be
potted in planters that have been handcrafted at Prince Charles's
estate, Highgrove. The Abbey, which dates back to 1066, has been the
site of 15 royal weddings, beginning with that of Henry I in 1100.
Connolly's
approach to his work revolves around sustainability and the importance
of native flora, both of which appeal to the couple's own sensibilities.
After the ceremony, the Abbey decorations will remain in place until
May 6 so that they may be viewed by the public. After that, they will
likely be re-planted at Highgrove. All of the growing plants used
throughout will be donated to charity or re-planted.
Music
at the ceremony will be provided by the Choir of Westminster Abbey; the
Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace; the London
Chamber Orchestra; the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal
Air Force; and the State Trumpeters of The Household Cavalry.
Kate
and her father will ride to the ceremony in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI,
while Prince William and his best man, Prince Harry, will arrive in a
Bentley. After the ceremony, the bride and bridegroom will depart for
Buckingham Palace in the 1902 State Landau, an open horse-drawn carriage
frequently used for royal processions, along a processional route that
includes Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall.
There will be four other horse-drawn carriages in the motorcade
carrying the couple's immediate family, including the Queen and Prince
Philip, and members of the wedding party.
During
the afternoon reception at Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds will make a
public appearance on the Palace balcony, where the Royal Air Force and
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will salute them with a flyover.
Apart
from the royal family and other dignitaries, recognizable names on the
guest list include actor Rowan Atkinson, Sir Elton John, and director
Guy Ritchie. And it might interest you to know that invitations to royal
weddings are sent only to crowned heads of state, which is to say
members of foreign royal families; hence, President and Mrs. Obama
haven't been invited. So if you're pouting about being left out, don't
feel too bad. You're in very good company.
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