Today’s post is a challenge.
We can’t simply revel in fun and frivolity while ignoring the other news of the day.
Dusty Compton/The Tuscaloosa News/AP
Having personal experience with tornadoes when covering news, we can only say that written descriptions are inadequate.
International Business Times/AP Photo
Above, images from Tuscaloosa last night.
The atmosphere after a tornadic event is beyond explanation, well beyond weird or eerie or any other term I can think of. The best I can say is it is quiet. There is an odd silence and the air itself feels funny. Below, north of Centreville, Alabama last night.
Tony Laubach/TornadoesKick.com
People come slowly out of whatever shelter remains, asking “Is it gone? Is it over?”
Gary Cosby, Jr./The Decatur Daily/AP
A few will come out running, racing to find those they love.
Bernard Troncale/Birmingham News/AP
Or those they don’t know at all.
Jeff Roberts/AP Photo/Birmingham News
When the event comes at night one is even more unsteady, there is no sound, no light, no nothing. Only the sound of generators, once they kick in, for those that have them.
Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP
Daylight brings painful realities.
Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this disaster.
Dave Martin/AP Photo
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We move on to events across the pond, where it is has been a day filled with last-minute rehearsals, comings and goings, smiles and glad-handing, and this evening’s gala for the out-of-town royals.
The day started with one more walk-through at Westminster Abbey; Prince Harry and Kate Middleton were on hand but Prince William did not participate.
Enigma via The Daily Mail
Young attendants took part in the rehearsal as well, below we see 8-year-old Tom Pettifer, one of the page boys, and Lady Louise Windsor, aged 7, she is the daughter of The Earl and Countess of Wessex (aka Prince Edward and his wife Sophie).
Roland Hoskins/The Daily Mail
We do know the young ladies will be wearing dresses by Nicki Macfarlane, below we see designs from the designer’s 2010/2011 collections. (Be advised if thinking about checking this site, it seems to be melting down from the increased traffic.)
Nicki MacFarlane Courtesy Image
Ms. Macfarlane has done bespoke dresses for some time, only recently did she start offering RTW (ready to wear) designs. Below, another look at Young Master Pettifer and Miss Windsor.
Eddie Mulholland/The Telegraph
We see Pippa Middleton below, holding the hand of Grace van Cutsem, on the right William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton heads into the rehearsal.
Roland Hoskins
We don’t know if the third young bridesmaid, Eliza Lopes, was at this morning’s run-through or not. We show her below in images from an earlier post on the wedding party.
Via The Daily Mail
In addition to hearing about the wedding party’s attire, we are learning what some of the more notable guests will be wearing. Prince Harry’s guest, Chelsy Davy, will be in two dresses by Alberta Ferretti, for the wedding she will wear aqua with a matching jacket, and for tomorrow night’s party at the palace, a midnight blue one-shouldered design.
Courtesy Alberta Ferretti
The Duchess of Cornwall will wear a creation by Anna Valentine, the designer of the dress for her marriage to Prince Charles.
Getty Images
The Duchess was out and about this afternoon, greeting those camped out on the mall.
Getty Images
Throughout the day the bride, her family and others involved in tomorrow’s events have been smiling, looking quite relaxed.
WENN.com
John Nguyen
This evening the family is safely ensconced at their hotel, below the Middleton ladies arrive at the Goring, left to right, Pippa, Carole, and Kate.
Chris Eads/Reuters
Perhaps one of the most important items brought into the hotel today:
Rex Features via The Telegraph
A sewing machine. Brilliant.
Oh, the groom? He did a walkabout this evening, greeting those gathered on the processional route.
AP Television News
While the Middletons are settled in at The Goring, others are at the Mandarin Oriental for tonight’s big dinner. The Queen was in periwinkle blue, on the right we see Prince Charles and Camilla.
Prince Edward and Sophie, she looked lovely in red.
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty
We have a slight concern about the frock Princess Beatrice selected, parts of it look awfully… shiny. Perhaps this is merely an unfortunate camera angle.
Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Others at the gala, Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece, on the right we see Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
Getty Images
A favorite with the fashion crowd, Princess Letizia is seen in an elegant grey sleeveless gown, husband Prince Felipe is seen on the left, Queen Sofia is on the right.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Another look at Princess Letizia’s gown, simply stunning.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
We leave you with two things today, the first, another photo from the couple’s shoot with Mario Testino.
Mario Testino
That is the image on the official program.(You can look at the program here.)
The other is the music you will when all is said and done, and the couple turns, and heads up the aisle and out of the abbey.
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ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:
- PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty
The Preppy Princess 