"Miss Ray'ma Dianna Isle and Prince George of Wales's wedding will take place on February 19 of this year, 2037. At Westminister Abbey."
I looked over at George, the man I would be marrying. We started dating when I was 23 and he was 21. I never thought I'd be marrying a prince, not even when I was younger. Though I dreamed about George and the British royal family and me becoming "Queen Consort Ray'ma", it never really clicked in my head that my dreams would actually come true. Standing here, in the grandeur of Westminster Abbey, I prayed to God, my Lord, that "I, Ray'ma Dianna Fallon Isle, will do anything for this country. Though I am not British, I will support my husband, this family, and the country that has opened its arms to me and embraces me with support, admiration, and love."
Six hours earlier, I was in my hotel room with my mom, dad, sister, and brother. My dad came over to me and said, "Ray'ma, my daughter, my youngest beautiful daughter. You have come so far and achieved so much. I am incredibly proud of you. Remember to stay true to yourself and your values as you embark on this new journey. We will always be here for you, supporting and loving you every step of the way." With tears in my eyes, I hugged my dad tightly, feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude for the opportunities that lay ahead. "Thank you, Dad." I said it tearfully. Although me and my dad never had a "close" relationship, he knew I loved him, even for his mistakes. My mom came up and said, "Ray, I prayed that your name would be known; not only Jesus knows you and your name, but the world knows you by name and by heart."
The four of us talked for a little before my dad and brother left the hotel room and went to get themselves ready. My mom is wearing a purple dress and matching dress coat with a hat and white mid-heels. My sister is my bridemaid, so she's wearing a short-sleeve satin mesh slick white dress with silver embroidery and a pearl necklace. My wedding dress is a long-sleeve satin lace sleeve with pure white satin going down. It matches my veil and wedding heels. I am wearing a tiara, a tiara that was gifted to me by my father-in-law, King William V. It's a rare tiara that only the queen wore—well, my late great-grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth. The tiara is adorned with exquisite diamonds and red diamond rubies, adding a touch of elegance to my bridal ensemble. As a tribute to my heritage, the centerpieces at the reception will be a vibrant mix of traditional African blooms and classic American white roses. The floral arrangements will incorporate the rich colors and textures of Nigerian hibiscus, Cameroonian orchids, Ghanaian sunflowers, American hydrangeas, and for my husband, the British flowers Lilly of the Valley and English roses. I wore diamond cross earrings and my cross necklace to match.
I rode in the carriage with my dad and with my sister. I waved at people that were screaming and chanting my name "Ray'ma" or "Queen Ray'ma". Nervous, I started to dig my nails into my hand. I prayed silently in my head, "Lord, you are my father; today I need your strength and guidance for as long as I shall live. May you grant me the wisdom, dignity, and humility to carry out my duties as the next Princess of Wales. Help my husband, George, find an understanding, loving, and supportive partner. I pray that my unborn children will be safe, for their lives will be in your hands, and they will have success in all that they do. In your son Jesus Christ's name, Amen." As we arrived at the venue, I took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage, where people were yelling and waving the British and American flags. A man stretched his hand out to help me. I smiled at him and said a soft "Thank you." He nodded his head and said, "You're welcome, Miss." I waited for my father to step out of the carriage, and he came up on the right side of me, smiling at me. I saw the pride in his eyes. Never in more than 250 years has a black person married a member of the British royal family—well, the heir, that is. With the exception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, by the way, I couldn't stand Meghan when she found out that her nephew was dating a black woman; she called me "gold digger" and "mocker," and I'm not the one who spends 2.2 million euros on clothes by itself. Anyway, this day is all about me, George, and the Lord. As we walked into the church, I looked around, seeing George's family, friends, dignitaries, and rulers from other countries, such as Queen Leonor of Spain, her husband, children, her mother, and her sister. King Christian of Denmark with his wife and children, along with his siblings And the rest of the kings and queens of Europe, the Middle East, and other prominent figures from around the world. I saw Prince Louis, Prince George's little brother, staring at me excitedly. Louis is like a little brother to me. I've always wanted a little brother because I am the youngest in my family. I smiled back at him even though he probably couldn't see my face because of the veil, but he knew I was looking back at him.
As I walked down the aisle towards George, I felt a sense of overwhelming love and joy. The music played softly in the background, and all eyes were on us. I locked eyes with George, and a wave of emotions rushed over me. This was the man I would spend the rest of my life with, the man who had captured my heart completely.
The ceremony was a blend of British royal traditions and personal touches. The vows we exchanged were heartfelt and sincere, promising to love, support, and cherish each other for eternity. As the Archbishop pronounced us husband and wife, the crowd erupted into applause, and George leaned in to kiss me, sealing our union.
After the ceremony, we made our way to the reception, where the atmosphere was filled with excitement and celebration. The grand hall of Westminister Abbey had been beautifully decorated with a mix of regal and cultural elements, representing both our backgrounds.
As we entered the room, the guests stood and applauded, showering us with love and well wishes. Queen Elizabeth, who had played a significant role in our courtship and wedding arrangements, gave a heartfelt speech, welcoming me into the royal family and expressing her happiness for George and me.
The rest of the evening was a blur of laughter, dancing, and heartfelt conversations. I danced with my father, my brother, and George's family members, feeling grateful for the love and acceptance I had received from them. I danced with George, swaying to the music, lost in the joy of the moment.
As the night came to a close, George and I snuck away for a private moment together. We walked hand in hand through the beautiful gardens surrounding the Abbey, reflecting on the day and the journey that brought us here.
As we gazed up at the stars, George whispered, "I love you, Ray'ma. Today has been a dream come true."
I smiled, my heart overflowing with love for this man, for this incredible day, and for the future that lay ahead of us. "I love you too, George. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, supporting you, and embracing this new chapter together."
Hand in hand, we walked back towards the Abbey, ready to begin our life as husband and wife, ready to embark on this incredible journey together. The world may watch, the world may judge, but we knew that our love was real and our commitment unwavering. And with that, we stepped into our future, as Prince George of Wales and Princess Ray'ma Dianna.