From the S&S archives:
Wedding brings Britons together

LONDON (S&S) — "Wasn't it wonderful? Everyone talked to everyone else. It was just like it was during the war, wasn't it?"

A gray-haired old-timer was checking out his impression of Wednesday's royal wedding with his wife as he compared its atmosphere with the days during World War II when Britons were brought together by adversity.

On Wednesday Britain came together again — for the first time in some years — to rejoice as Wales got a princess and the Prince of Wales took a bride.

The "wedding of the century" was a happening, not only for the 2,500-plus notables in St. Paul's, but also for the people of Britain who gathered before TVs in parlors and pubs and thronged the streets of London.

Million line route

An estimated one million people lined the 2.2-mile processional route from Buckingham Palace to the cathedral.

Many of the truly dedicated wedding watchers had staked their claims three days before the wedding and had slept under the stars in sleeping bags and lawn chairs:

They didn't dare venture to Hyde Park for Tuesday's nights spectacular fireworks and music for fear of losing their cherished places.

However, they need not have lined up so long in advance. Everybody, even late arrivals, was assured of a decent view of the pomp and pageantry.

Nevertheless, in certain choice spots along the route — notably the Mall, the tree-lined avenue leading from the palace to Trafalgar Square, and along Fleet Street, the approach to St. Paul's — the crowds were six to 12 deep by 6 on the wedding morn.

Union Jacks ruled the day on hats, T-shirts and what-have-you. Some people were even wearing the flag. One student from Manchester, Bryan Balmer, had his face painted red, white and blue (they are Britain's colors, too).

Cheers for all

Long before the procession began, the crowds used every excuse to cheer. They cheered the rubbish men doing last-minute cleanup and a special cheer went up for the men spreading sand along the horse route.

Yet, not everyone in Britain was overjoyed with the royal hoopla. More than 200 people booked to join a "Getaway from the Wedding" voyage from North Wales to Dublin. Organizers who advertised the 21-pound (about $40) trip from Holyhead ferry terminal were surprised at the large response.

Just as the queen's entourage departed the palace, the sky that had been ominous with rain suddenly cleared. The weather change almost seemed to have been staged by the British Tourist Authority.

Bands along the route played "God Save the Queen" and sentimental tears dripped as the fairy-tale parade made its way toward history.

The principals flashed by — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip beaming from an open coach; Elizabeth the Queen Mother smiling beneath a feathery pink hat; Prince Charles and his brother, Prince Andrew, appearing to enjoy the ride immensely, and then Lady Di, a glimpse of white and veils in the Glass Coach.

Kept at a trot

The procession passed by any one point in but a few seconds. The horses were kept at a trot — no more the stately walk of processions past — for this is the season of the sniper, and security demanded a fast pace so a possible assassin would have little time to draw a bead.

There they were — there they went. Some people missed it entirely — the drunken vanquished, who were passed out beside the route.

While the wedding was going on at St. Paul's, some of the crowd drifted into pubs — granted a special concession to remain open all day on the holiday in the U.K — to watch the ceremony on TV. A 15-minute wait to obtain a drink wasn't unusual

As the procession made its way back' from the wedding site, waving and cheering became infectious no matter what anyone's feeling were about royalty.

On the balcony

Then, the real parade began. First tens, then hundreds of thousands of spectators trailed the procession back to the palace and then stood chanting, "We want Charlie, Di and Charlie" until Prince Charles, his bride and others of the wedding party appeared on the palace balcony.

Half an hour after the couple had made the last of several repeat appearances, thousands were still streaming down the Mall towards the palace as the bells of dozens of London's churches pealed:

Meanwhile, in the fountain at Trafalgar Square, people frolicked fully clothed in the water. The normally violently anti-establishment "Skinheads" outdid all others when it came to robing themselves in Union Jacks.

Britain has lost its empire, its economy is a shambles and riots have wracked its cities, but on Wednesday the British put their cares and animosities aside and enjoyed each other's company as everyone became a member of the wedding.