American Princess

Your Head Trucker has paid no attention to the royal wedding preparations and speculations these last six months - I've had other things on my mind - but for the record, here are a few snapshots.

It's not every American girl who grows up to be a real princess, but this one did, and how:

Embed from Getty Images


The bride wore Givenchy, a perfection of elegant simplicity, topped with a sleekly chic antique tiara:

Embed from Getty Images


Prince Harry lost no time staking his claim to a little piece of America, which I suppose no one will mind:

Embed from Getty Images


And then they were off - actually, just around the block to the other side of Windsor Castle for the first reception of the day:

Embed from Getty Images


The relatives waved from the side door of the church:

Embed from Getty Images


The Queen was in good form with a chartreuse coat and hat, one of her favorite colors, I'm told, and a magnificent diamond brooch that would choke a horse:

Embed from Getty Images


The parents were pleased and proud, just as you would expect:

Embed from Getty Images


Well, that's all the snaps I took before I ran out of film. But in case anyone missed the festivities, the whole thing - without a single babbling word of commentary - can be seen at the official Royal Family channel:

The Order of Service can be downloaded from the British Monarchy website here.

Harry to Marry

Embed from Getty Images

Kensington Palace has announced that HRH Prince Henry of Wales, 33, will marry American actress Meghan Markle, 36, in May at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

Unlike the unfortunate case of the Duchess of Windsor (who, I believe, had no real idea of what she was getting into) it seems that neither the Queen, the Church of England, nor the British public have any objections to HRH marrying a divorced American this time around. Well, times change and attitudes change:  the fact that the bride's ancestry is half African-American seems likewise to have caused not a ripple of discomfort anywhere, except among the usual trolls and hobgoblins of the Internet.

I had wondered if Harry ever would marry - it's hard enough for an ordinary bloke to find a compatible mate without the pestilential reporters and paparazzi posting every little sneeze and stumble on the front pages, which must be utterly hellacious to those in the goldfish bowl of public life. But judging by the BBC interview below, it appears that Harry has made a very good choice: Ms. Markle seems poised, sensible, and grounded, very much in love but clear-eyed about her new status.

So they look to be in good starting position, and I hope they will surmount the hedges and hurdles of life well and wisely. All good wishes to the happy couple.