Prince Charles and Kate Middleton are going to the chapel...or the Abby.
There’s nothing like a call from your mother at 8:30 in the morning to wake you up, particularly when it’s followed by a squeal of excitement. Her source of happiness today was none other than the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton, or “Waity Katie” as those biting Brits call her. The spawn of the People’s Princess popped the question last month while vacationing with his beloved in Kenya. And the best part of this story? Kate was gifted with Diana‘s sapphire stunner of an engagement ring. Swoon! (Feel free to insert references to The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement here.)
So the question is, how on earth does Kate’s Cinderella story, touching as it may be, relate to my green blog? Thanks to this article, I was clued in to the possibility of a green home for the newlyweds-to-be.
Let me backtrack a little bit. Although I admit I am very much behind, I only recently discovered Charles‘ bid for a title change, something along the lines of The Green Prince. It’s been reported that the first in line to the throne has renovated no less than three rooms in his various homes with sustainability in mind. He also asked his servants (?) to swap cars for bikes for a time. He’s even written an article about his commitment to greening the world in Vogue, which was an unexpected and advanced choice on his part. His suggestion to fashionistas: recycle clothing by going vintage.
And in addition to all of this, Charles got the greenlight, no pun intended, to build an eco-friendly “starter” home (above) for his son and his lady-in-waiting. The six-room home, to be built on the lands of the Harewood Park Estate, would boast a rainwater reservoir, stable and a chapel. The roof would be insulated with wool, the walls would be partly made up of volcanic ash, and the floors would be constructed from recycled brick and stone. When blueprints were released in 2007, Kate and William temporarily called it quits, but now that the pair is very much on, perhaps we can hope to see the realization of Charles’ designs in the future.
Two questions: Rhetorically, what starter home has six rooms? But more importantly, do you think ever-chic Kate can spearhead a green revolution in cranky England just by inhabiting a green home? Here’s to hoping, kids.’Til then, my mom and I will be anxiously awaiting our Save the Dates. After all, there’s no better view than the one from your couch.
XO, The Green Gamine
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