PS

Yes, I am an American who is completely fascinated by the Windsors and has been since I watched Lady Diana Spencer marry Prince Charles as a child.

Bllliiinnnggg!

I'll admit it - I am easily distracted by shiny objects. It's true! I looooove jewelry. So I was really excited to see what Kate Middleton was going to wear for her royal wedding. So here is a picture of her wedding bling.

The tiara is the Cartier "Halo" tiara that King George VI purchased for his wife in 1936 and was given to Queen Elizabeth for her 18th birthday. The Queen loaned it to the Duchess of Cambridge for her special day.

The earrings were a gift from Kate's parents. The dangle in the middle of the earrings is an acorn - from the Middleton family crest.

And, of course, there is the ring. The beautiful 18-carat saphire and diamond ring that Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana for their engagement. It was then presented to Kate Middleton by Prince William as his "way of making sure that my mother didn't miss out". I haven't heard anything about the actual wedding band that the Duchess of Cambridge wears but I believe it to be either a gold or platinum band - simple and just like Diana.



The Duchess didn't wear any other jewelry for her wedding. She is truly a classy, elegant, yet simple lady.

The "other" royal wedding

I just couldn't resist posting this picture of Princess Diana and Prince Charles after they married. She must have been so happy at this moment. I will always remember watching this wedding over and over. I guess I can officially consider myself a "closet royalist"!

Tea & crumpets, anyone?

I cannot wait until tomorrow! It will be fairly early in the morning here, but I'm either staying up all night or getting up super early just so I can watch the royal wedding.

I'm going to have my own private little tea party complete with fine china, chai tea and some sort of pastry or tea sandwiches. I may even get dressed up in a dress that makes me feel like a princess!!!!! (Just a note - If ever you find an article of clothing that makes you feel like a princess, a queen, a million bucks or anything else, BUY IT!!!).

I only wish that Princess Diana were still alive to see her baby boy get married. I think she would have absolutely adored Kate Middleton. And can you even begin to imagine Princess Diana as a grandma?!?!?! I think she would have been the most awesome grandma! But a part of her will always be there with the Prince and his Princess to remind them of her - THE RING.

Royal Wedding Confessions

I have another confession to make. As a young girl, I watched the "first" royal wedding on July 29, 1981, between Prince Charles and Lady Diana 9 times on television. That's right - 9 times! It was truly a fairy tale. The dress with it's 25-foot train, the bouquet, the carriage, the fanfare, just everything. It sucked me right in.



I think that it is absolutely amazing that Prince William was able to give Princess Diana's engagement ring to his Princess. That has to be so special to Kate Middleton.



I absolutely loved Princess Diana. I admired her. I adored her. I was fascinated by her. I would have LOVED to meet her in person. I have several books that were written about her life. She was so flawed yet still so compassionate. I loved that she was such a hands-on mom to the Princes. She always went against what was expected of her and she was so strong. She always stood up for herself. It may not have always have been all that constructive but she did what she felt was right. She had such style, such class.

I had just started dating the Hot Tamale when she died. I remember that I had just woken up when I heard the news of her passing. I was devastated. Poor HT called me that morning and I was in tears. He probably thought I had completely lost my mind.

In the days following her passing, I actually went out and purchased Elton John's single on cassette from Princess Diana's funeral. He redid his song "Candle in the Wind". I'm sure I still have it. I just don't know where it is.

I think that Prince William looks so much like his mother but not only that, he exhibits so many of the same personality traits as his amazing mother. It's just too bad that she isn't here in person to see what a great son she raised and to get to know her amazing daughter-in-law. Princess Diana was truly an amazing woman.