I’ve had so many amazing moments in London so far this semester, but yesterday lands on the top of the list. To me, the energy in the city was defined by dichotomies: one moment, perhaps when Kate fans reflected on her rise to princess-dom, would be cheerful, and the next wistful, as broadcasters lamented on Diana’s absence; the crowds were loud as David and Victoria Beckham entered the Abbey, then calm and focused as Kate and her father glided down the aisle; police were both on-edge as they kept eyes peeled for unrest and loosened up as they smiled and laughed at the approximately 1 million well-wishers who filled the streets. It was a day of singularity with other members of a city which I’m starting to think of as my own: Will and Kate masks were everywhere. Champagne corks littered Hyde Park. The crowd’s collective breath was taken away when Kate and Will stepped onto the balcony, and they collectively exploded into cheers when they kissed. I can be pretty cynical, but after much research (I would rather not admit how freaking obsessed I am with W&K, or how many times I’ve already Youtubed their balcony kiss and her walk down the aisle, as well as Charles’ and Diana’s terribly awkward wedding videos for the sake of comparison) I am convinced that Will and Kate are really, actually in love. (Kate would either have to be crazy for him or just plain crazy to subject herself, her family and friends, and her future children to that kind of life.) Will’s murmur of “You look beautiful” when he saw her at the altar and their shared fight not to break into smiles during the ceremony was proof enough. Even now, as I work on my (last!) paper, I can’t help but flip through BBC’s photos of the day. But it’s not just photos of Will and Kate that I’m drawn to—it’s photos of faces painted, flag-wearing, dancing, drunk people who, whether they believe it’s real or not, can't help cheering (and taking a celebratory swig) for a happy ending.
