A royal afternoon
An afternoon garden party in Mountain Brook was a part of the first visit by any member of the British royal family to Alabama. His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, was in town on April 28 to present recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh award with medals.
Laura and Colby Clark hosted the party in their home and welcomed award recipients affiliated with the Miss Alabama pageant and Miss America pageant. Award recipients had completed service requirements for the self-development program for youth ages 14-25.
Most of the guests were state officials or others involved with Miss America and the Miss Alabama pageants, but the Clarks were also able to invite some of their close friends and family.
The Clarks’ two daughters, who attend Mountain Brook Elementary, enjoyed the event with some of their friends. Laura had set up some tables outside of her daughter’s' playhouse for the younger guests that featured chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese to nibble on. There was also a chocolate fountain in the playhouse.
The Clarks have a beautiful home with a lovely pool and terrace area surrounded by blooming gardens. Guest enjoyed champagne, tea, tea sandwiches, assorted cookies and breads, tenderloin encroute, lobster fritters and other finger foods as they circulated around the party.
Prior to the event, those invited had been sent some protocol pointers. For the event, men were asked to wear coat and tie and women sundresses. Hats were “encouraged,” and about half of the women wore them.
Everyone looked elegant and was looking forward to meeting a real prince, especially the young girls. One remarked to me after meeting the Prince that she liked the way he talked. I am not sure who they were most excited to meet—Miss America, or Prince Edward.
His Royal Highness arrived and was greeted by the Clarks, Mayor William Bell, and Governor and Mrs. Robert Bentley. Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden and his wife, Sandra, also welcomed the Prince. After visiting with the recipients, he mingled with guests before the presentation. Following the award presentation, he greeted anyone who wished to meet him. Everyone agreed that he had a wonderful smile, was very easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in everyone he met.
The Prince wasn’t the only celebrity in attendance. Miss America Laura Kaeppeler was there along with Miss Alabama, Miss Ohio, Miss South Carolina and several others. The young girls enjoyed talking to the beauty queens as well as getting autographs and photos.
The Clarks were so generous to share their home, and it was certainly a memorable afternoon for all.