Royal Musings: Day 5 The day before the wedding

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Day 5 The day before the wedding

I got into Windsor at around 9 a.m. When I got off the train in Slough, armed with my sleeping bag and other things, one of the staff at Harry and Meghan Central said: "I know where you are going!"

I smiled. Giggled, too.

Headed straight to the Long Walk to secure a position. I settled at a front-row spot across from the second big screen. An American couple and several Australians were to the right of me. Another group of Americans soon moved to the left of me.

I put down the big plastic tablecloth and my stuff and sent a message to one of my Twitter friends, Susan, where I was as she planned to join me later in the day. Two other friends would join as in the wee hours.

One of the primary things to do is to get to know your neighbors -- you watch their space and they watch yours.

Portaloos, food trucks, and bars were set up on each side of the Long Walk. We were told the bars would open at 9 p.m. False information. The bars would open at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

I headed back toward Peascod Street to get some food, water, and wine at Marks and Spencer. The town is getting more crowded with street closures planned for 10 p.m.

The Windsor branch of Marks & Spencer, known affectionately as Marks & Sparks, changed its name for three days - to Markle & Sparkle. Great marketing idea!!

I run into an old friend, Christopher Barnes, and her family, who were being interviewed by Kelly Cobiella from NBC News. In July 1986, Christopher, her daughter, Sarah, and I camped outside the Victoria Memorial the night before the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

More people arrived as the day drew into the evening. I did another BBC interview that evening.

Got a hot dog and chips and a Coke from the Hotdog vendor. I may have flirted with Spencer because at about 1 a.m. (the vendors stayed open all night) he came over to say he would bring my our breakfast - bacon butties -- at about 6 a.m. Free. Thank you, Spencer.

Susan and I settled down in our sleeping bags. I had also bought a bivvy bag, warm clothes, extra socks, and a bag of Mylar blankets, which I shared with Susan and a group of Americans who had come at the last minute and were not prepared for the 45 F degree temperature at night. I also had a blanket from my London hotel that I did not need to return.

I think I got a few hours of sleep. But once the sun began to rise, the quiet ceased -- and people started to awake. Spencer came with breakfast. Susan got the coffee for us. Imagine having breakfast with Windsor Castle behind you ... a great view.