An Audience with the Queen
May 7, 2007 — -- Since my childhood, I've always had an infatuation with the Royal family.
Maybe it was "too-many-Disney-movies-itis" where the plain girl turns into a beautiful princess and lives happily ever after. Or perhaps is was the long gowns, bejeweled crowns and tempered, aristocratic waves from high balconies.
Whatever it was, there was a magic to it, a magic that has captivated me my whole life and, this morning, followed me to the South Lawn of the White House where President Bush welcomed Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as a special guest.
Crowds of "commoners" formed across the South Lawn behind security lines and press bleachers while VIPs lined the sides of the upper lawn.
Clutching cameras in one hand and Union Jack and American flags in the other, they watched military color guard parade with ceremony and circumstance, dressed in pressed uniforms in air-tight formations.
A fife and drum corps along with the Air Force band belted out a regal soundtrack and the White House balcony was draped with American and British flags.
The President and First Lady were announced but all eyes were on Queen Elizabeth, whose audience I had always dreamed of being a part of. (Prince Phillip was there too, but all eyes were on Elizabeth!)
From the press bleachers, I peeked my head in between the soldiers and the podium to get a solid look at Her Majesty, decked out in a white and black suit, black patent heels, a shiny black purse and proper British hat.
(In my mind's eye, I was hoping for royal jewels, a velvet cape and a bejeweled septor but I'm hoping those will make an appearance for the State Dinner later on!)
I, like most of the crowd, leaned in a bit closer as if that extra half inch would give me a better look at Her Royal Highness. She made her way, shaking hands before taking the podium, and finally as she walked up the stairs I had a solid eye shot of her and she looked every bit of regal as I thought she would.
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