That was the question, as I stood waving to William and Kate as they walked down the aisle in Westminster Abbey last Wednesday night.
I was able to do this from the comfort of the Residence, thanks to a wonderful canvas, which, when photographed, produces the 3D effect you see in the photo.
The canvas spent the next two days at Central Station in Stockholm, giving lots of Swedes and tourists the chance to have their photo taken (sort of…) in an iconic UK venue.
This was part of a wider effort by our colleagues at Visit Britain to promote tourism to the UK, not least with two unique events next year.
Our Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne, which will see some wonderful pageantry and spectacle in London and celebrations around the UK.
And, of course, the little matter of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, with an estimated 4 billion people watching on TV.
Last week in New York, our Prime Minister launched the GREAT campaign, highlighting the many reasons Britain is such a great place to live, work, visit or study. This is also serious business. 30 million visitors to the UK every year inject £20 billion pounds into our economy. 750,000 Swedes alone spend almost £20 million.
There are some things money can’t buy, however.
Had I remained in my old job in London I would had a great view of the Queen’s Birthday Parade, as my room in the Foreign Office overlooked Horse Guards’ Parade.
This will also be the venue next year for the Olympic Beach Volleyball tournament, so that would have been a spectacle of a different sort.
It’s safe to say that only a job as great as being Ambassador in Stockholm could tempt me away from a front-row seat for such contrasting dramas!
In my next blog, a night of scientific speed-dating at the Residence….
Tags: GREAT campaign, Visit Britain
