Well, it's been an okay week. I met the future Queen of England. NO BIG DEAL.
If you've read any of my other posts, you've probably figured out that I'm a massive fan of the lovely Kate Middleton. Thanks to Twitter, I found out she had a few engagements in the London neighborhood of Kensington on Monday morning.
Because of the wonderful university system here in England, I don't have class on Mondays. I didn't tell anyone I was going just in case something went wrong and I didn't see her. I didn't want to let myself get too excited.
There was no schedule about what time she would be at each engagement, so I guessed. I went straight to her second scheduled stop at 10:00. There were probably thirty reporters already there. Not many spectators, which meant I was able to stand right up against the barricade.
At 11:00, I looked down the street and saw blue flashing lights–four officers on motorcycles, followed by a black security Range Rover...and a spiffy Jaguar.
Of course I immediately started shaking. Really truly shaking. I don't know if I've ever been that excited before.
Then, ten feet from me, the Duchess stepped out of the Jag before moving CLOSER to me to shake hands with the school administrators (she was officially opening a new private school). In a line of ten people to greet, she really took the time to have a conversation with each. Typically you see someone just going down the line shaking everyone's hand. I was quite impressed by this. Especially because I could hear all of it. I believe in one of my videos you can, embarrassingly, hear me say "Oh my god, it's her voice!" (As if I expected it to be someone else's?)
(please excuse my finger)
The first thing I noticed was that her eyes are much brighter in person than in photos. It's so odd what you observe in an intense situation!
As if that wasn't enough, I discovered that her next engagement was right next door. Is it worth standing out in the cold for another two hours? You bet it was!
The security was not as tight as I would have imagined. Yes, everyone needed to be behind the barricades, but only thirty seconds before she arrived, and as soon as she walked in the building (doors not even fully closed) we were free to move around.
When she finished up at the school (an hour later), she walked across the courtyard to the newly renovated Kensington Leisure Centre. William and Harry learned to swim here, and the students would use it for P.E. classes.
By the time she went inside, my toes & fingers were numb...which worked in my favor, I thought. I'm already as cold as I can get, why not just stay?
Boy am I glad I did.
Most people left after she entered the Leisure Centre.There were maybe ten of us left, shivering behind the barricades. Even most of the paparazzi had gone.
Fast forward one more hour and she re-emerged, beautiful bouquet in-hand.
She walked right past. RIGHT past, headed for her car, which was parked very close to those of us who remained.
I could feel the adrenaline in my system. I felt kind of silly, but quickly pushed it aside. I don't care, I just love her.
Instead of getting into the Jaguar, she walked over the the far end of the barricade.
SHAKING HANDS, SHE'S SHAKING HANDS.
One-by-one, she greeted everyone who was left...including me.
I had told my best friend the week before that I looked up the proper way to address a royal, "just in case." As I said, I hadn't told anyone I was planning to go to this event.
Protocol states that if they offer their hand, you may shake it. Kate is supposed to be addressed as "Ma'am" (like "ham"). It seems so stuffy, and Kate is SO not stuffy, but I made sure to say it anyway.
She and William are trying to get rid of a lot of this protocol, which has been around for so long. For example, when Lebron put his sweaty arm around Kate while they were in New York, the public assumed it was a breach in protocol. Will and Kate responded, saying that (for them specifically) they have done away with the rule that you cannot touch a royal first.
Long story short, it was incredible. I can't even articulate what it felt like. I was even quoted on a local website sounding like a bit of an idiot because I was just so freaking excited.
Now if I can only meet Prince Harry...
I did not use the zoom feature on any of these photos. In fact, most of them make the distance look further away than it was in reality.
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