Arabs watching the Royal Wedding were in for a nice surprise when on live TV, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, made their way down the St George's Chapel steps after the ceremony and were greeted by cheers.
They also got to enjoy the distinct sounds of zaghareet. Click on the video and skip to 2:06:43 to hear it.
For all those non-Arabs out there, zaghareet, or zaghroota (in its singular form) is the trilling sound or ululation that is made by women in Arab countries to mark a happy occasion. It's practiced across the Middle East and can often be heard at weddings. So it's no surprise the Twittersphere was baffled about hearing it in Windsor, England on Saturday.
Do I hear zaghareet?#RoyalWedding
- Tagreed Abdin (@taggy_) May 19, 2018
Can someone please explain to me the zaghareet we heard as Meghan entered the church and as the royal couple left? #RoyalWedding#Arabweddingshttps://t.co/JTj2GoSnHs
- Sally Mousa (@MousaSally) May 19, 2018
How did no one comment on the fact that there were "zaghareet" a.k.a. lululululeeeeeeeesh at the end of the Royal Wedding!!!!! Proper ZAGHAREET!
- Jamileh Al-Alami (@thatsmyjam33) May 19, 2018
Is it me or there are actual zaghareet on the royal wedding!
- Mirnaa (@MiirnaGamal) May 19, 2018
Did anyone else hear the zaghareet at the wedding? #arabpresence
- Lina 🌿 (@linaclotide3) May 19, 2018
How come there's Zaghareet? https://t.co/dbBgtiSXOH
- Melina (@beingmelina) May 19, 2018
The zaghareet were coming from the crowd on the sides.
and yes bishop Angelous was there and participated in the prayer- Dvlpr.to_b 👓💻⌨🖱🌐 (@tmhawary) May 19, 2018
zaghareet are dominating the world
- catijah⚡ (@ranawallflower) May 19, 2018
Is it me or are there Arabs at the #RoyalWedding. I swear I can hear zaghareet.. لللللوووووولللليييي
- دعاء محمد (@DeeMoDee) May 19, 2018
Trust Arabs to put their mark on everything – including a British Royal family wedding.