NOT TO be outdone by the UK’s royal wedding celebrations, residents of Paphos, which has the island’s largest ex pat community – celebrated the nuptials in style, with traditional British street parties, complete with flags and red, white and blue balloons and bunting.
One of many such revellers, Sue and Darren Keats held a party along with their neighbours in their cul de sac in Peyia.
Beneath flags and decorations of all kinds, guests watched the wedding on a specially-erected projector screen before taking to the street to make merry.
Dressed in a Union Jack dress and matching hat Sue said the event was one she will always remember.
“I was young when the Queen had her silver jubilee and I remember it so vividly. Today brings back memories of that and, watching the wedding, I just saw a sea of hats.”
Neighbour Stephanie Murphy said watching the wedding had been an emotional experience:
“It brought a tear to my eye and I think it was nice for a modern young girl to wear something traditional. She looked very elegant and not over the top.”
The same apparently could not be said for Princesses Beatrice and Eugene, daughters of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew.
“I’m not sure what they had on their heads but Beatrice’s hat was dreadful”, noted Stephanie.
Meanwhile, Sue and Darren’s daughters, 10 year-old Jaz and eight-year-old Ellie were bursting with excitement.
“This is my first royal wedding and I’m looking forward to having loads of fun and playing games,” said Jaz. “The party will go on really late, until at least midnight.”
She added, “I can’t wait until the next street party when Harry gets married. I really like him.”
Three-legged races and face painting were also on the cards, according to her sister.
The buffet style meal included, sausage rolls, chilli, chicken, roast potatoes, vol-au-vents, sausages and salads.
“Prince William reminds me of his mum, Diana,” said Sue. “She was lovely, and I think he should take the throne and not Charles. I’ve never liked him – he’s a boring slipper man. But I think this new generation will be a great thing for the monarchy of Britain.”
Husband Darren, wearing a T-shirt he himself had made depicting ‘Darren and Kate’ said while he thought William’s bride appealing, he wasn’t pro-royal as such.
“The event is a good excuse for a get together and fills you with community spirit,” he said.
“I’m not a Charles lover. But Diana was lovely and spoke for the people; William has got that sense about him and he and Kate seem grounded with the people around them.”
Meanwhile, Dave Wesson helped organise an indoor street party at the Paphos branch of the UKCA, where well over 100 attendees watched the wedding live on TV, and enjoyed a buffet, games and a disco.
“I didn’t get to see much of the wedding as I still had things to organise,” admitted Dave, “But this sort of occasion makes you proud to be British, and I think the couple will do an awful lot of good for Britain.”
Guests at the party, ex pats Phillip Tobutt and Doreen Woods, thought the wedding was ‘beautiful”, though Phillip opined that the Prince should have worn his RAF instead of his Irish Guards uniform, given William is a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot.
Yet another wedding bash was held by In Any Event’s Anita Hopkins and business partner Beverly Houghton Brown at Paphos’ DTs bar. Guests downstairs were dressed in red, white and blue, while those in an upstairs VIP area were dressed to the nines.
“The wedding was fabulous and everyone here was in tears. It was very different from the wedding of Charles and Di. I think Kate stole the show,” enthused Anita.
