|
 |
News |
 |
|
| |
Email this article |
 Printer Friendly Version
|
| |
Far from the madding crowd
|
| |
29 April 2011 |
| |
|
| |
| |
Packing up my London home and moving to Dubai sounded like such a great idea when I planned it during the second half of last year.
Like many Brits living in the UAE, I had had enough of cold grey winters and washout summers so had decided it was time for a change. "I probably won't be back in time for the 2012 Olympics," I thought, "but I've never really liked sport anyway."
That was before Prince William, the future King of England, took it upon himself to propose to his girlfriend Kate Middleton - and planned to marry her three months after my scheduled departure.
How selfish can he get? In a single announcement he had forced me to finally forever consign my diamante tiara to the back of my cupboard and accept that I would not be sitting next to Prince Harry at the wedding reception.
"Lucky you, missing out on all the royal wedding nonsense," a fellow hack breathed to me when the engagement was announced, but I do not feel lucky; I feel a bit sad to be missing out on all the fun.
After all, what female journalist wouldn't want the opportunity to spend months speculating about shoes, dresses and jewellery, claiming it to be current affairs coverage?
I have a history of being there on the fringes of royal events and it feels strange to be so far away for the biggest in decades. I was there outside the Guildhall in Windsor when Prince Charles married Camilla, now the Duchess of Cornwall. It was six years ago but I can still remember the turmoil when it was delayed by a day because of the funeral of Pope John Paul II. I was working for a regional newspaper at the time and nearly our entire editorial team turned out to help with the coverage, and then retired to the pub to watch the church blessing on a big screen TV afterwards.
Only the chosen few, mostly national press, were permitted into the grounds of the castle for the blessing in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. I used to spot the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and I'm sorry to say I was also one of those pesky reporters who spent time sniffing around Bucklebury, the home village of soon-to-be Princess Catherine, bothering villagers, asking silly questions when there was still doubt about the future of the Wills-Kate romance.
Now, when I have a real live official reason to be there reporting for the national interest on the background of the future Queen, where am I? Thousands of miles away, that's where.
News coverage of the event here has been fairly restrained compared to the hammering it's getting in the UK. Don't believe me? Just turn on Sky News and I guarantee you they will not be able to go 10-minutes without mentioning it. Every newspaper website has a Royal Wedding section and there has even been a scrap in the press about whether the Prime Minister will wear a morning suit on the big day.
Still, it's not as if there isn't plenty to entertain me here. Dubai Polo Club, the Red Lion and my nearest local luxury hotel, The Address, are all getting in on the act.
Personally, I think I might go down to the Sherlock Holmes British Pub and see if I can win myself a replica of Kate's engagement ring.
Now that would be something to tell the grandchildren.
|
| |
Source: beta.thehindu.com |
news |
| |
Email this article | Printer Friendly Version |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
| Current Events |
 |
|
| DubaiGetaway |
 |
|
| Featured Links |
| |
|
|
|
