As an American, most of the time I don't care about the British Royal Family. Once we kicked them out in 1776, I figured we were pretty much done with it. It certainly was not a factor in my decision to study abroad in London this semester, but nevertheless, once a Royal Wedding date was announced, it became an important part of my plans.
Newspapers, television stations, and souvenir shops spewing Will-and-Kate stories and memorabilia have been building up to the event for as long as I've been in the country, and all of my travel plans were accompanied by the phrase, "I just have to be in London on April 29," because it was going to be the last big event of my semester abroad.
Yet as the fateful day drew near, I almost began to dread it. I was sure that I would be crushed in an enormous crowd and wouldn't be able to see a thing, but I also knew that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I simply had to go.
On April 29, the Underground and city streets were surprisingly empty as we traveled into the heart of London, but once we reached the crowd of spectators at Trafalgar Square, we understood why most of the city was deserted. Despite the huge crowds, I was surprised and pleased that I actually had personal space and a clear view of the entire ceremony on one of the giant television screens. Even better, I had a front row seat to the most enthusiastic display of national pride I'd ever seen in London.
Some Brits may complain about the monarchy and the endless hype of the wedding, but when the members of the royal family drove through the streets or entered Westminster Abbey, the entire city erupted in cheers and waved their Union Jacks with gusto. In spite of some early grim predictions about anti-Royalist factions and plans to disrupt the wedding, the celebration went off without any problems.
Everyone broadcast their patriotism with outlandish outfits, Will-and-Kate flags, and enthusiastic cheers. For them, it was not just a celebration of a wedding, it was a celebration of what it means to be English.
As the ceremony ended and the return to Buckingham began, the entire city seemed to echo with the cheering crowds and ringing bells. I couldn't see the procession in person, but it was impossible not to get caught up in the crowd's excitement. Though I sang the lyrics for "My Country ‘tis of Thee" while the rest of London sang "God Save the Queen," it was, as a fellow American friend of mine put it, "the most British I've felt since being here."
The wedding gave the English people a chance to unite and share in an event of simple joy at a time when such opportunities are rare. Even though I still don't care a great deal about the royal family, it serves as a source of pride, festivity, and the occasional extra holiday for the people of England.
Even with the official event's end, the partying continued across the city. I went back to my university to enjoy the nationally sanctioned holiday with some homemade "Royal Wedding sangria" and to laugh at Facebook statuses from friends back at DePauw who had woken up early and still had to go to class. Overall, not a bad way to finish up my semester abroad.
— Wiley is a junior from West Lafayette, Ind., majoring in English literature and Spanish. features@thedepauw.com