More Analysis Needed

There is something about a wedding, especially a wedding like the one on Friday, (I'm sure it needs no formal mention!) which makes it a cracking good talking point. The dress and outfits analysis, the behaviour of the guests and the emotion of it all.

Of course not being privy to the Abbey, Buck Palace or any of the parties then I've been mainly chatting in general about it all as witnessed on the Mall and off the telly - especially the outfits.

Without doubt Catherine's dress was perfection itself. It was a triumph of mood and design. There is no escaping the referencing to Helen Rose the MGM costume designer who made Grace Kelly's dress for her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco. But it is of course a fresh, modern perspective and to draw inspiration from the similarity of marrying into royalty is no bad thing. It is entirely useful to reference an idea to create something new.



When it comes to the guests then the top 3 after the bride and groom plus best man and maid of honour plus the little bridesmaids and pageboys - then Mrs Middleton, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Queen all scored a big yes. There were a few other outfits that get a nod for decency according to occasion and quite a few that were askew. Stupid things like wrong shoes, hat with dress Princess Eugenie, Beatrice and fashion princess Victoria Beckham. One could argue that Princess Eugenie's dress was pretty awful, but the pictures don't always tell the truth. In the flesh the material and colour of Vivienne Westwood dress was gorgeous. True the hat and shoes were no no's, ditto hat for Beatrice and then sorry VB but those shoes were the wrong choice for the event.

But what is a wedding without the frock f*%^ ups. And then there is always the star aside from the bride. Catherine can rest assured it was her day, she shone but her younger sister Pippa did emerge as a the only other interesting female. Without a doubt Pippa stole the badge of style icon. In fairness Pippa's dress was a wonderful call from both Catherine and Sarah Burton. Catherine would have bound to have decided and agreed the design from the McQueen collection. I do say this with a slight hidden agenda as my wedding dresses as designed by me was very similar - I had a cowl neck. Although due to post baby weight (petit garcon was 10 months old when we ...you know!) I was no where near as svelte as Pippa.

moi & petit garcon on my wedding day

It isn't just the dress she wore for the wedding, but her evening gown by Alice Temperley and then her post wedding event leaving hotel outfit of Zara jacket with white jeans, flats (although I'm not a fan of Tory Burch shoes) and an exceedingly useful bag. I think she does it all with ease and an effortless British style which is part Sloane/trendy Urban and European. Pippa could be that well groomed girl in Paris, Milan or Madrid who makes you envious of her ease.


Pippa's style is a great antidote to the ubiquitous Moss/Chang/Palermo touting fashion pics. Again I'm not entirely convinced that this is style setting. After all it is safe, but it is a stylish option for those who don't want the muso, trendy baggage of London fashion. It is a wise style choice to take a lead from someone less caught up in trend and more concerned with elegance and poise. It saves us all from being totally dominated by Parisian chic as well!

The Uninvited Guests

It was an early start and a tad cool in London town. Still in true middle class fashion I had packed a picnic and a flask of coffee for the momentous occasion. However petit garcon turned down brioche for jammy dodgers on the district line.

After breakfasting on the glamorous tube we alighted at St James Park and walked towards the Mall.

Proud flag carrier

The view of Buck Palace from St James Park

Quick morning chat with Chris Evans as you do. Lots of people wanted his attention. Last time I'd seen him was at TFI Friday, how times change I said, it used to be Oasis and now its a Royal Wedding. I suddenly felt v grown up (read as ageing!)

We got our pitch with some fun people

Flag waving practising at 8am!

Blanket down and breakfast part 2 - note the handy loo roll I grabbed as we left home.
The blanket got very grubby as did my white jeans and when we gave up sitting on it I hung it on the rails on the Mall and it was still there on our way home so I packed it up and am hoping it will scrub up well in the washing machine.

The programme - and yes we all sang the hymns when they were in the Abbey - as well as cheer very loudly when they said I do!

Lots of crownsAnd big hats

Listening to the radio whilst standing & waiting

A quick cuddle

Look at the state of my jeans, blanket & springform pumps

Catherine going past with her dad - the veil looked stunning in the car and it was offset wonderfully by her dad's grey hair - it was a lovely sight.

There was lots of marching and guard changing on the Mall whilst the ceremony took place. And I failed to get a photo of the carriage as the spectacle of the Guardsmens, the horses and the carriage plus William & Catherine was mesmerising.

I was amazed how incredible an occasion it was. I loved the chats I had and the fun with complete strangers from all over the world. And I got quite tearful thinking how sad it was that Diana wasn't there for her son's day. Catherine and her family were fabulous and the dress was perfection.