Too English to Be True: A Magical Moment Sets the Tone for Front Royal’s Continued Celebration of 250 Years of Independence

What G.K. Chesterton might have called “too English to be true”, a phrase that originates from his celebration of all things English, The Ballad of the White Horse, took place in downtown Front Royal on April 30, the occasion being America’s 250^th birthday.

Dressed as a British guardsman, Grover Orell waits behind the metal barriers on East Main Street as excitement builds for the expected arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Dressed as a British guardsman, Grover Orell waited, like many other children, behind the metal barriers on the Afton end of East Main Street, which was invested with a special energy as the minutes ticked by and the promised arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla grew closer. For Grover and all the other children, East Main might as well have been the Magic Kingdom.

His father, Micky, conversed easily about American history, being his specialty as a history teacher. His mother, Amanda, answered his steady stream of questions about the things he saw all around him, even as he bubbled over with enthusiasm about his outfit and shared important facts about its historical context. Thus, waiting was hardly boring. “You’re a cool person to wait with!” the Royal Examiner declared to Grover.

Finally, a helicopter began circling overhead, signaling that the awaited moment was imminent. It was a moment invested with the same gravity that Americans invest in so many things: the Kennedy flame, the fireworks finale on the Fourth, a sibling’s graduation from boot camp, or any number of things that touch on shared symbolism and provide a narrative that brings people together. As security vehicles marshaled in off North Royal Avenue, the anticipation mounted and then swelled with cheers as the vehicle bearing the royal couple, signified by a miniature British flag, glided onto Main, the back windows down so that the king and queen could wave to the crowd. Then, as celebratory champagne was uncorked, the parade that had been queuing on Crescent Street followed in the direction the motorcade had gone.

Why Front Royal?” many people asked. “Why not?” was Town Manager Joe Petty’s reply. What makes this community such a cool place to live is exactly what attracted royal attention. The amenities do not have to be listed. Anyone who has seriously put down roots here knows why moving to a new place is not a desirable option. Furthermore, the way the community came together to greet the king and queen is a testimony to how much this place has to offer.

Carey and Melissa Saffelle of Saffelle Cattle Co. gifted the queen the first flush of their peony crop, as the peony is her favorite flower. Samantha and Joe Barber of Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center made the center available to the king and queen as a place to catch a second wind before proceeding to the downtown block party. Grant Bloom remarked on how kind and gentle the king was, asking Grant questions about the Welsh breed of sheep that the Bloom family raises at Bellwether Farm in Upperville and brought to the Gazebo area for the festive occasion.

These are just a sampling of ways that community players – like the police, like the mayor, like the town manager, like the tourism director – came together to put Front Royal’s best face forward, not only for the royal couple but for other visiting lights like Governor Abigail Spanberger. With Front Royal at the center of an international event, the ramifications are endless. Spit and polish should be the new theme, as one never knows who might visit next!