Holbrook Resident Throws Royal Wedding Party

Folks who drove past Hilda Maloney-Reese’s home in Holbrook last week probably took a second look with all the British paraphernalia hanging as decoration.

That was only a small part of her overall Royal Wedding theme as she held a party to honor Prince William and his new bride Princess Kate on the day they tied the knot.

Reese moved to the United States from Liverpool, England in 1963, and even though she’s called America home since she was 19-years old, she has a soft spot for the old tradition that swept across the world for the wedding.

That, plus she just likes to see everyone happy.

“I wanted to do this because everybody needs a pick me up,” she said. “So, I said, 'let’s have a party.'”

She spoke with her sister in England, who sent her some decorations. A life size image of the new famed couple was available for friends and family to take photos with, men wore kilts and women came dashed with fancy hats.

“Everybody who heard about it, wanted to come,” said Reese, who had about 30 people in her home by the end of the night. “Everybody had to wear a hat. It was the greatest thing.”

They watched the wedding on television and she was constantly on the phone with her relatives in England as the events took place.

“We went back and forth,” she said. “It felt like I was there. The wedding was beautiful. I felt very proud of England. It was lovely.”

She adored Kate's dress too.

“I loved it,” she exclaimed. “I thought it was the most beautiful, stately, exquisite thing.”

Just as she hoped, people left the Reese home having enjoyed their evening.

“We had so much fun,” said her niece and Sachem school board trustee Christine Lampitelli. “Everybody walked out of there with a smile on that night.”