Loyalists Agog with “two-for” : Wedding and Birthday

By MAGGIE M, Wedgee-in-Chief, Editor, the wedge.LIVE ❤️ TO SHARE click icons at story’s end

People of the wedge are compounding two big celebrations this long weekend. The royal wedding of Prince Harry to American, Meghan Markle, and the birth of Queen Victoria–Saturday and Monday respectively. The Guinness and ale will pour for three days–no less, the tea.

The wedge, East Ontario, is by geography home to the progeny of more British Empire Loyalists per capita than any other place in the nation. This is why we see so many tea rooms and British monuments in towns and cities. Brockville, Prescott, Gananoque, Kingston, Cornwall, and Perth among others give presence to the founding of Upper Canada. It is probable, a higher concentration of United Empire Loyalists’ descendants (British refugees from United States) are also here.

Local British ancestry fuels our jubilation related to Queen Victoria’s Birthday. Brits will gather for perennial performances of “Rule Britannia” and “God Save The Queen.” Their longings will be assuaged this weekend with a “two-for,” a wedding and a birthday.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Titanic Belfast

HOW HARRY MET MEGHAN

It is now widely accepted that Harry and Meghan were set-up on a blind date by London-based Ralph Lauren Public Relations Director, Violet von Westenholz. She is part of Harry’s inner circle, and daughter to a Baron. Markle apparently asked von Westenholz, “Is he nice?” Surely, this matchmaker will be recognized at the wedding.

We Canadians like to consider our participation in this union. The couple first went public in 2017 at the Invictus Games, Toronto.

You will enjoy this BBC interview. These two are clearly smitten with each other and a pleasure to watch. http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-42139382/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-engagement-interview-in-full

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend “Amazing The Space” event

THE WEDDING

The afternoon of Saturday, May 19th, the royal wedding will take place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. This is also where Harry was christened. 2,640 guests are reported to be attending.

At 4:30am our time (est), favorite host, Lisa Laflamme, CTV, will be airing live from Windsor. Peter Mansbridge, CBC, will also be on location.

Fret not, there will be many recaps throughout the day on the web and on networks. Many build-ups with broadcasts, podcasts and posts–like this one.

Saturday is a celebration of love and a holy union. It is a great day to remind ourselves of the wonderful institution of marriage.

UPDATE LIVE WEDDING CEREMONY – Starts after 8:25

Official Wedding Portrait, Meghan and Harry.

QUEEN VICTORIA’s BIRTHDAY

Queen Victoria, born Alexandrina Victoria, is remembered on her birthday this Monday, May 21st. Her true birth date is actually on May 24th; however, our tradition places the celebration the Monday on or immediately prior to her birthday. 2019 will mark 200 years from her birth in 1819 and surely manifest in a heightened celebration within the British Empire.

As this is a current-day royal wedding weekend, we elect to feature the Queen’s wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Cobourg and Gotha on February 10, 1840–instead of the commonly seen photo in her widowed years.