All Eyes on the Royal Wedding

It was July 29, 1981, what seemed to be a real-life fairy tale.

Diana Spencer wed Prince Charles in a spectacular ceremony watched by millions of people around the globe. Here in Fairfield, I was an elementary school student at the time, enchanted by the grace and beauty that defined the Princess of Wales.

Many of us were as fascinated then as we are now of the upcoming nuptials of Princess Diana's eldest son, Prince William, to British commoner Kate Middleton. In case you aren't counting down, the historic nuptials will take place this Friday, April 29, at Westminster Abbey at 11 o'clock London time. The wedding reception for 1,900 invited guests will be held at Buckingham Palace and will be hosted by Her Majesty The Queen, according to the official website of The Royal Wedding.

Fairfield transplants Kelli and Marc Montanaro, who recently moved to London, said the Royal Wedding has pretty much taken the country over. Royal Mail has launched a special sheet of stamps to commemorate the forthcoming Royal Wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. There is even an app released by Westminster Abbey, giving users the chance to virtually tour the Abbey.

But not all the fanfare is saved for only the Brits.

The Montanaro's 7-year-old daughter, Mikaela, even drew a picture of Middleton.

"She drew this for Kate - it is what she thinks her dress will look like. She also wanted to send her well wishes for the big day," Kelli Montanaro told About Town

Tonight, in the last of a three-part series on Britain's Royal Family, the Fairfield Woods Branch Library will host, "Windsors Today and Tomorrow: Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William," at 7 p.m.

And on the big day, from noon to 2 p.m., those feeling celebratory can come dressed in "afternoon attire," hats and gloves to hear Dr. Mona Garcia who will speak about "The Royals." Dr. Garcia taught European history at the college level and is on staff as a reference librarian in the Fairfield Public Library system.  She has presented papers at academic conferences in the United States and Great Britain, and has publications in her field of English history, one of which has been included in the Royal Historical Society Bibliography.

Highlights from the ceremony will be shown, and tea will be served at 1 p.m. in the Rotary Room of the Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road. To register, click here.

For the first time, broadcast footage of a royal wedding will be live streamed on The Royal Channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel), accompanied by a live multi-media blog put together by St. James’s Palace.

Cheers!