Of Royal Remembrance...

Happy Sunday to you. Hope the weekend is treating you well.

Currently there is a Royal audience enjoying all the Pomp and Circumstance that will comprise the makeup of the Summer Olympics in London. It was the same way albeit in a different vein 31 years ago today on the same ground for two people about to tie the knot.

With time differences and all I remember watching the procession as Diana Spencer and Prince Charles tied the knot in a nuptial that was viewed live by an audience of close to 3/4 of 1 billion people worldwide. I suppose that says something when a wedding is shown live as opposed to tape delayed (slight jab at NBC for their decision to not air live).

Hey 19

I remember how young Princess Diana looked having  just turned 20 some 4 weeks prior. I also thought in hindsight how she appeared so uncomfortable wearing that tiara on her head (It was later revealed said cap was one size too short causing a headache). It also dawned on me that there was quite an age difference between bride and groom. More than anything I was taken aback by the settings, the ambience, and the amount of media attention this event received here in the states.

It was about 4am in Orange County as I watched. 4 days before the birth of MTV. 4 months removed from an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. 1 month into a baseball strike. 2 months removed from an assassination attempt on Pope John Paul. 1 month prior to a record ratings year for NFL viewership ( Having the Jets and Giants reach the playoffs in the largest market had to help).

4 months prior to one of the largest soap-opera weddings seen on ‘General Hospital’ with Luke and Laura. 1 month removed from a move to the West Coast from Northern Illinois. My first thought was, ‘who in the hell would awaken at this ungodly hour to watch a procession?’ Little did I know we were being prepared for non-stop news in a few decades in a round-the-clock manner.

Diana’s outfit was truly eye-catching. Prince Charles was, well, dapper. This whole wedding idea really sounded serious to this teenager as I heard commentators discuss the specifics the way a golf analyst might discuss the British Open. Detailed, albeit a bit stuffy for my ears. Yet, I kept watching. The memory remains.

A large audience will now watch events that will unfold for the next two weeks in the name of sports and competition among countries. In a way, the event is the wedding. The coaches are the bridesmaids. The athletes are the intended Brides and Grooms. To the victors a gold medal in the name of a long courtship with the worldwide audience-their children. Those who fall short will ponder a return appearance-Divorce, reconciliation, and a retry before a sympathetic ear of fans. Many memories will be born and be carried and retold in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Will anyone captivate the world the way Diana Spencer did today in 1981? Time will tell.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will