A Connecticut Yankee at the Royal Wedding

Some may question the general enthusiasm of the British public, and the potential worldwide audience, for the wedding celebration of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, which will take place Friday.

But for those perched on beach chairs, pitching tents and popping champagne on the front lawn of Buckingham Palace Thursday evening, the excitement, sense of anticipation and pure delight were infectious and unanimous.

These intrepid royalists, who began gathering early Thursday morning ranged from Londoners, citizens of the British Commonwealth, and in an informal survey, many Americans, most of whom seemed to be from Texas.