As the world squeals with excitement at the news of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement, a battalion of consultants is getting to work planning their sure-to-be-monumental wedding, with an estimated budget of $100 million, this event be seen by more than a billion people around the world. Here’s a look at what the public should expect from the wedding of our century: the guests and the ceremonies and events that surround it.
As many have predicted, the wedding will likely be a colossal event in one of London’s massive cathedrals. As we are in an economic recession, with a British government imposing strict sanctions, a royal wedding is just what is needed to revive the enthusiasm and mood of the public.
Engagement rumors have followed the couple for years. But the couple needed time to sort out complicated legal and prenuptial arrangements.
Kate will be doing the same kind of public service work that other royal ladies do; From what I know about Kate, she will be quite happy with this role. It’s a full-time job being the wife of the future king. Kate is very suitable for the royal family. Will Kate become a media star and celebrity, just like Diana was? Given her looks and sense of style, chances are she does.
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is destined to be one of the most eminent events of this century. Millions of people are already fascinated by the big day. This article has all the details on what to expect from Britain’s latest $100 million dollar royal wedding.
LOCATION: Westminster Abbey, the famous 1,000-year-old church, which has historically been the site of important occasions such as coronations, weddings and funerals, is the most appropriate location. British kings and queens were crowned there. Princess Diana’s funeral was held there. It has capacity for 2,200 guests. The only people allowed to marry there are members of the royal estate, abbey staff, and members of the ceremonial Order of the Bath and their families. Only about a dozen weddings take place there each year.
ESTIMATED COST: Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding cost approximately $45 million. This wedding is expected to cost more than double that amount: just under $100 million. At this price, expect to see a very luxurious affair; one with majestic pomp and circumstance of impressive proportions.
WHO COUNTRY? Money for the festivities can come from a number of sources: Annual government funding given to the royal house to pay salaries and official duties. (Approximately $12 million annually) The Queen can pay for it personally. Charles is expected to foot part of the bill, and Kate’s self-made millionaire parents could also chip in.
DATE: A Saturday in July or August seems like a reasonable possibility. An impressive royal wedding of this caliber takes into account the schedules of all the other royal guests, celebrities, and heads of state. Schedules are usually planned a year in advance.
June is already packed with activities: Trooping of the Color (Queen’s birthday parade), and Royal Ascot. Prince Philip’s 90th birthday is June 10 and William’s birthday is June 21. We probably won’t have to wait long for the date and venue to be announced.
THE WEDDING PARTY: Prince William’s younger brother Prince Harry is expected to be his best man and Kate’s sister Pippa will be his maid of honor.
THE DRESS: When it comes to the bride’s dress, Kate is practical and will be more relaxed than Diana. Kate won’t be wearing a big, billowing ball gown like Princess Diana did. It will be a beautiful slimming white dress, with a dramatic train. She will be crowned with a sparkling tiara: either Princess Diana’s “Spencer Heirloom” tiara or another tiara lent to her by the Queen.
Most couture designers would jump at the opportunity to dress the princess-to-be for this momentous occasion, as the gown is sure to be a prototype piece for years to come. This couture piece will set the standards for bridal fashion around the world.
HIS COSTUME: He will wear a traditional dark colored military uniform, sash, scale of medals crossed over the chest, medallions under the heart, braided gold cord, fringed epaulettes, sword, gloves and white cap.
CELEBRITY GUEST LIST: Kate is a commoner who will be welcomed into the Royal Family. The guest list will be packed with political figures, heads of state, famous friends and acquaintances, including: Barack and Michelle Obama, Tony Blair, Elton John and Sir Richard Branson. We can also expect royals from Sweden, Norway, Asia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, the Middle East, and Jordan.
PRE-WEDDING CELEBRATIONS: Before the wedding, on a Friday, a select group of guests (mostly European, Asian and Middle Eastern royal families) will arrive at a beautiful castle for lunch. The dress code will be business chic: trouser suits and blazers.
On the Friday night before the wedding, guests will attend a spectacular pre-wedding concert. The dress code will be black tie and chiffon dresses, no tiaras, medallions, or pins. After the guests are seated in the concert hall, a symphony orchestra will start playing and the wedding couple will walk out on stage. Kate and William will be greeted by thunderous applause from the audience. They will proceed to sit in a special box and a beautiful classical music concert will begin. Numerous contemporary pop artists will take to the stage, singing songs while the audience applauds. For the grand finale, the bridal couple will return to the stage; surrounded by a swarm of children wearing flower crowns, singing and waving colorful royal flags.
THE WEDDING DAY: Guests will arrive in extraordinary and ornate attire to a courtyard filled with uniformed guards; swords drawn in formation. They then walk slowly across a colorful rug, stopping every ten feet or so to pose for photographs. The pomp and sheer number of military guards is staggering. The guests then enter the church. Their large emerald tiaras, their dazzling necklaces sparkle in the sunlight. Their billowy satin and chiffon gowns move gently in the breeze. Crossed sashes, adorned with pins, keepsakes and family heirlooms, complete their outfits.
Many men will arrive dressed in military attire, with shoulder pads adorned like a trellis with gold fringe. An overwhelming plethora of military medals, ceremonial ribbons, neck medallions, and eight-pointed stars could adorn his chest. They usually finish their look with a set of white gloves, a feathered hat, and a gleaming sword.
The bride could arrive in a classic Rolls Royce, with her father; serenade by roving violins and a children’s choir. Trumpets will sound inside the church to sound her appearance.
When the bride enters the foyer, guests usually turn in their seats and crane their necks to see her. The orchestra will begin a classical marching piece, while seven young children advance the wedding procession. The bride should also tend to move, with her arm in her father’s; most likely sparkly tiara of hers.
A long line of sheer white fabric will trail behind her, as three bridesmaids watch her move.
The religious ceremony will begin. After the couple recites their vows, rings will be placed on their fingers.
Then a huge choir will sing a song of celebration. A pop star could serenade the bride with a romantic song, maybe something out of a Disney movie.
AFTER THE CEREMONY: Afterwards, William and Kate will board a horse-drawn carriage and drive through the streets of London, probably to the pier.
At this time, the streets will be filled with colorful soldiers, stationed every three feet. When the couple reaches shore, they can embark on a royal ship or barge. They will now be under the protection of a series of warships and uniformed personnel. At this point, the air force will send a fleet of deafening jets in tight formation to fly overhead. Sailing around the port for a short time, they will arrive at another dock. A military procession of cavalry brigades, equipped with beautiful horses and plumed helmets, will escort the royal couple in a carriage down Pall Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Citizens normally line all the procession routes, hoping to see the couple kissing. Throughout the streets of the city, stationed on both sides of the avenues, there are colorful soldiers. When the couple arrives at the royal palace, they usually shake hands with the guests and receive congratulations. As in the old tradition, they step out onto a large balcony and greet the crowds below. A choir and band play background music.
RECEPTION/BANQUET: A spectacular banquet will be held at Buckingham Palace. The guests are greeted with horns. Each guest is escorted to his seat by a soldier dressed in ancient metal armor and a feathered hat.
The huge long tables are decorated with ornate silver candlesticks, lighted candles, silver and crystal sculptures, gilded chairs and spectacular flowers. The budget for flowers will amount to millions of dollars. Each guest is assigned a liveried footman; Who will tear the meat from them? Speeches and toasts are made in honor of the bride and groom. The blowing trumpets herald all the speeches of the fur-clad musicians.
CAKE: The cake will consist of a multitude of levels. Probably white cream with a fruit filling (strawberry or raspberry). After dinner, the couple will approach the towering cake and cut a slice.
WEDDING DANCE: After the cake ceremony, the orchestra lights up with beautiful music, while the couple waltzes. The couple’s parents also join.
FIREWORKS: A dazzling fireworks display will light up the London skyline.
HONEYMOON: The couple will most likely go on their honeymoon to an exclusive oasis on a private island, such as Bali, Fiji or Bora Bora.
MARRIED COUPLE: William will most likely be given a title like Duke of Cambridge by the Queen. His new wife will then become her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Once William is done with his RAF duties, the royal couple could move into a Georgian manor house that Prince Charles built in Herefordshire. It is a very comfortable and suitable residence for a future king and queen.
