Halò my fellow adventurers... oh wait I'm sorry, let me rephrase that... Attention my fellow subjects, on February 13th, 2018 at the Edinburgh Castle, in Edinburgh, Scotland, I, Meghan Chayka, shook hands with BOTH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, making me now an honorary Royal!
WWWWHHHHHAAAATTTTTTT!!!! Meghan did you really meet the royals?!?!?!? To answer your question, yes, YES I did!
On Tuesday February 13th, 2018, in preparation for Valentines Day, Prince Harry took his soon to be wife on a little vacation to Edinburgh, Scotland (Meghan's first trip to the country), where the lovely couple attended a meet and greet at the Edinburgh Castle at 12:10pm, attended a royal navy gun salute inside the castle walls at 1pm, visited a cafe on Princess Street in Edinburgh called 'Social Bite' (famously known for its generosity to the homeless population, as ALL the proceeds from the cafe go towards uplifting the homeless), concluded by what I imagine to be an extravagant dinner at the royal families home in town, at Holyrood Palace (where YES I did visit just a few weeks ago, so make sure you read my excursion post)! And of course today on Valentines Day, perhaps the couple is still at the palace here in Edinburgh, perhaps they snuck out during the wee hours of the night to fly back to London, but either way, I can't believe I get the chance to say I encountered the Royals!
My morning started off as any other, I woke up, had breakfast, got dressed, ran out for a cup of coffee and then prepared to meet up with a group of my friends to walk to the castle, all with the hopes of actually meeting the Royals. Now to be completely honest with you, when I woke up Tuesday morning, from the moment I woke up I kept telling myself that 'I am going to meet a Royal', and just like that, I DID! While it was only really ever in my dreams that I believed I would shake their hands, I never once let myself doubt that my dream wouldn't come true, and just like magic, it did, just goes to show you how far a little positive thinking can go! Only a few hours later did my hands grace the palms of not one but two Royal family members!
As my friends and I left our flat to embark on our journey to the Edinburgh Castle, one thing we did find quite shocking was actually the lack of people in attendance. Now hold on a minute, I am not saying that there weren't a TON of people at the castle gates waiting to catch a glimpse of the prince and princess, but maybe perhaps it's the fact that we are Americans (and don't have royalty back home), or maybe it was perhaps the fact that we are in Scotland, a country that for years has been seeking the right to become a nation (without the English Crown, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle), that the native Scottish people didn't feel the need to come out and witness this Royal affair, but either way, among the sea of international fans, my friends and I were able to get AMAZING spots to witness what was about to become a memorable morning!
Arriving at 11:30am, my friends and I had to wait around until promptly 12:10, in super cold conditions, for the Royal couple to arrive! As we waited for the couple to arrive, a man from the local Scotsman Newspaper came up to us and asked if he could ask us a few questions about the newly engaged couple! 'Of course', we said, as we proceeded to get asked questions about who we were, where we were from and what did we think of the new Princess Meghan! Like any American who loves the royals, I told the reporter that I was SO happy for the couple and that I was even happier that the new princess is going to be a Meghan because MY name is Meghan (spelt the same way), so in essence, it's like I am going to become a princess!
Following our interview, never a moment too early, but never a moment late, right on time at 12:10pm, Harry and Meghan arrived at the castle gates, looking super dapper and enchanting, as they climbed up the road to reach the top of the ceremony (aka. where my friends and I were standing)!
Now here comes the good part, the moment you have all been waiting for, the moment I became an honorary Royal! As I saw Prince Harry approaching me, I stuck my hand out (lucky I was in the front row of the crowd), he approached me, shook my hand, I said congrats on your soon to be wedding, he gave me a quick smile and then was off to the next hand! Following Harry was Meghan Markle, who I have to admit is absolutely beautiful! Her hair was flawless (seriously there wasn't even a strand out of place, I would love to know what hair products she uses because my hair never looks that good here in Edinburgh), anyway, as she approached me I became speechless, not only was I still in shock that I shook Harry's hand but I couldn't believe I was about to be graced by BOTH of them! Then the moment happened, Meghan Markle stepped right in front of me, gracefully shook my hand as I managed to squeak out the words 'congratulations', she looked straight at my camera and then smiled as she passed onto the next hand! And just like that ladies and gentleman, a memory was made that I will never forget!
Once Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their way through the crowd, at the top of the castle entrance was a small welcome band and a miniature horse, yes a miniature horse, for them to pose and take pictures with, listen to a song or two while the crowd (and I) took
some more photos, then off they went, climbed into a range rover and drove (chauffeured of course) behind the castle walls, though the official gate where once inside they would witness the royal navy gun salute before heading off to get some lunch!
Still just one day after I shook their hands, I think I am still having trouble realizing just HOW special this moment was because I just can't believe I actually met them! Whether it be five minutes, five days, five weeks or five years from now, I know I will ALWAYS remember this moment, the moment I shook Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's hands, I will never stop talking about it (hey it's a great conversation starter/topic), but most importantly I know that if I can use the power of positive thinking to will shaking the couples hands into existence, then I need to start using the power of positive thinking even more to get me a royal husband! Just kidding, (kinda), you never know what can happen!
So there you have it my fellow subjects, the moment I met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is now forever engraved on my heart as one of my most precious memories, as I hope this video below makes you feel as though you were there too, for I believe that everyone deserves to feel like a royal (just like Cinderella) even if it's just for a moment or 'two'!
Once again, thank you for coming along on my journey with me my fellow adventurer, I can't wait to write to you next time, who knows what kind of amazing stories I will have to share, as I believe opportunities are only what you make of them! So start seizing the day, thinking positively and things will start going your way!
Until next time...
Cheers
Meghan Chayka
This is a once in a life time experience that you will have to tell so many people! I got so excited for you as if I was going to see them and shake their hands too! <3