Fred Weintraub ’82 Chicago’s “Royal Watcher”

04/29/2011 6:41 PM

As media around the world focused on Prince William and Kate Middleton’s April wedding, Chicago’s own “Royal Watcher” told the stories other news outlets didn’t cover.

Fred Weintraub ’82 moved to London three years ago after working in Chicago media for more than two decades.

Since arriving in London, he’s been eagerly following the British monarchy. Recently, Weintraub’s photos and stories earned him the title of Chicago’s Royal Watcher.

Weintraub had a front row seat among international media as the bride and groom wed April 29. Weintraub participated in the anchor coverage of the royal wedding for Salem Radio, whose affiliate stations air throughout the United States.

“As you talk about all these 8,000 reporters converging on London, there was really nobody from Chicago reporting from a local standpoint,” he said. “I watched it develop over a three or four-week period. I covered it as the process unfolded and I think the Chicago audiences liked that.”

Because he has been living in London for three years, Weintraub is able to see the stories the national media doesn’t pursue. Underneath the pomp and pageantry of the Royal Wedding, Weintraub said the story is really about two young people who are in love and getting married.

“It’s a fairy princess, a Cinderella story,” said Weintraub. “This is a feel-good story for the whole world.”

Chicago’s Royal Watcher has a message for current Bradley students.

“If I can do it, anybody can. I never thought that I would have a 25-year career in television. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to cover a royal wedding,” he said.

Weintraub said Bradley helped him build a strong foundation to hold up a successful career.

His personal website is worldlyfellow.com, which features original photography of the royal family and coverage of the Royal Wedding.