She looks magnificent in the green floral dress, and I hope she embraces all the attention she will get because of it. Her golden curls are swept up into a braided chignon and adorned with an Alice headband fascinator with flowers in the same colours as those in her dress.
“You’ve never been more beautiful, Bella,” Liz says.
“I agree,” Prince Henry adds. “But all of you young ladies look beautiful today.”
That statement is the truth. Victoria is wearing an orange midi-dress with fabulous bell sleeves and a black cocktail hat and pleated crin, whilst Liz opted for a pale-blue silk wrap dress adorned with a navy-and-cream floral print. She chose a navy fascinator and pumps to coordinate. The York sisters are stunning today, there’s no doubt about it.
I smile, smoothing the fabric of my own dress. I feel so beautiful in my red dress, complete with a cream button fascinator adorned with a bow and lily of the valley blooms. Oh, I can’t wait for Xander to spot me in the church with this outfit on!
“Oh, Dad, wait until you see Clementine,” Bella says, interrupting my thoughts. “She is breathtaking.”
“Oh, yes, her dress is fantastic,” Victoria says. “They will be rushing copies of it out on the bridal market within days. Everyone will want the ‘Clementine’ look.”
“And in the autumn, can I look forward to seeing the ‘Liz’ dress in shop windows?” Roman teases, his grin wide and his eyes sparkling as he gazes at Liz.
Liz laughs. “I can’t even imagine.”
“Oh, yes you can! It’s already is happening with the Liz Effect,” Victoria says.
Victoria is right. Whenever Liz wears something off the rack, it sells out online in minutes. As does anything Clementine wears. They’ve both had a big impact with what they wear, and I know they are both conscious of helping designers throughout the UK and Commonwealth get visibility by choosing their designs.
“But Clementine’s wedding dress will be the most sought-after wedding dress for the next few years,” Liz says.
We begin to walk, and I agree with them about Clementine. So many brides will want her dress. We were in the bridal suite this morning, as we all spent the night at a beautiful country house hotel not far from Windsor. Meanwhile, Xander and James stayed with Christian at a luxury hotel near Ascot.
I remember how excited and radiant Clementine looked this morning as she got ready. Her dress was created by her favourite British designer, Emilia Wentworth-Hay. It is a stunning white silk ballgown with a modern twist—it drops into a modest V-neck, with three-quarter sleeves, but has a diagonally draped bodice that is unique. And it has pockets! I grin. Xander told me that really set off Queen Antonia, and his grandmother nearly passed out, but in this new day and age over at Buckingham Palace?
The bride got her pockets.
Clementine’s hair had been twisted into a low chignon, and then topped with a ruby and diamond tiara that took the breath away from everyone in the room the moment it was placed atop her flame-red locks. It was truly a magical moment, and one I was so blessed to be a part of.
As we walk towards the chapel, I embrace the love that is running through me on this special day. Not just for the happy couple and the squad, but for the man I’m so lucky to call mine.
Xander and I have never looked back since we committed to each other in the maze that March morning. Has my life changed? Yes, in many ways. Being known around the world. Discussed online and on breakfast TV. Followed by the paparazzi.
But in so many ways, it’s the same. I spend most of my time at Xander’s cottage when he is at home. We cook dinner together and watch TV and have the squad over for get-togethers. I go to work in the morning, and I come home in the evening to him. In this way, our life is the same. And I love it.
One weekend, Xander came home with me to Cardiff and met my family, and once the shock of him being the Prince of Wales wore off, they treated him like anybody else. They teased him and fed him and made him swear on his life he wouldn’t give away the secret of their fish and chips, and we all laughed that he was the only person in the house who could speak Welsh. I have no doubt my parents and siblings adore Xander as