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>Late in the morning the procession began coming by. There was a long series of limousines bearing heads of state I didn't recognize, their national flags mounted on the hoods. Vendors were out on the sidewalk selling small Union Jacks for about 10p. It seemed like everyone had bought one. The excitement built. Finally Charles and his brother came by in their carriage and then Diana in her glass coach. It was a dazzingly glamorous moment even to a hardcore skeptic. They were moving at a good clip, probably 15 or 20 mph, so you only caught a glimpse. Union Jacks waving, people cheering, pandemonium.
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>I wouldn't say it wasn't worth it.


I quite like pageantry as a spectacle. But its irritating when royal doings are reported in the media as thought they have some greater significance. For most of the people I know they don't. When Princess Diana died we were supposed to be a nation in mourning. Again most people I know felt as I did that it was sad for her children and family but that was all. At the moment the papers have lots of articles about Prince Charles re marrying, again most of the people I know really don't care that much.

by the way bucks fizz is champagne and (freshly squeezed) orange juice. I prefer champagne neat.

Nick Mason