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The Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey in London

Westminster Abbey, one of Britain’s greatest medieval buildings and among the best-known churches in the world, has a history stretching back over a thousand years. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in the mid-tenth century and with the shrine of its principal royal founder, St Edward the Confessor (died 1066), at its heart, it is also the coronation church where monarchs have been crowned amid great splendour since 1066.

Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey was established as a ‘Royal Peculiar’ in 1560 by Queen Elizabeth I. It means that the Abbey is outside the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Church of England and that the Abbey receives no regular funding from the Crown, the Church of England or the government.

The present church, begun by Henry III in 1245 is a treasure house of architectural and artistic achievement on which each succeeding century has left its mark.

Fifteen out of the thirty-nine sovereigns crowned in Westminster Abbey also lie buried within its walls. Their medieval and Renaissance tombs, though among the most important in Europe, form only a small part of the extraordinary collection of gravestones, memorials and monumental sculpture for which the Abbey has long been famous.

Many of the significant individuals in British history are remembered here: royalty and aristocracy, clergy and politicians, writers, scientists and musicians. They include Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, George Frederick Handel and William Gladstone.

Fifteen royal weddings have taken place in Westminster Abbey since King Henry I and Princess Matilda of Scotland married on 11 November 1100. They include HM The Queen and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten (20 November 1947), King George VI and Lady Elizabeth Bowes later to become the Queen Mother (26 April 1923), Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones (6 May 1960), Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (23 July 1986) and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips (14 November 1973).




More than a million people visit Westminster Abbey every year and several hundred thousand come to worship at its daily services.


The Grave of the Unknown Warrior

The Grave of the Unknown Warrior is at the west end of the nave. It is a black marble gravestone encircled by red poppies with an inscription in brass letters which commemorates the many thousands killed in the 1914-18 war who have no grave.

The grave contains the remains of an unidentified serviceman taken from the battlefields of the First World War. The idea came from an army chaplain, David Railton, who had noticed in a garden at Armentieres a grave with a rough cross bearing the words ‘An Unknown British Solider’. In the aftermath of the war the grave became especially symbolic to the bereaved whose husbands, fathers or sons had no known burial place.

The Unknown Warrior was buried on 11 November 1920 in the presence of King George V and other members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet and the chiefs of the armed forces. A hundred holders of the Victoria Cross formed a guard of honour through the nave. The grave contains soil from France and the Union Flag, known as ‘the Padre’s Flag’, which covered the coffin on its journey from France, hangs in St George’s Chapel. It was presented in 1921 by David Railton, who had used it as a coffin pall and altar cloth during his war service. 


Other artefacts associated with the Unknown Warrior are near by: the ship’s bell from HMS Verdun, the destroyer that brought the Warrior’s body to England, was presented in 1990 and hangs on a pillar to the south; on a pillar to the north hangs the Congressional Medal of Honor, conferred by the USA in 1921.

The inscription on the grave reads:

BENEATH THIS STONE RESTS THE BODY
OF A BRITISH WARRIOR
UNKNOWN BY NAME OR RANK
BROUGHT FROM FRANCE TO LIE AMONG
THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS OF THE LAND
AND BURIED HERE ON ARMISTICE DAY
11 NOV: 1920, IN THE PRESENCE OF
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V
HIS MINISTERS OF STATE
THE CHIEFS OF HIS FORCES
AND A VAST CONCOURSE OF THE NATION

THUS ARE COMMEMORATED THE MANY
MULTITUDES WHO DURING THE GREAT
WAR OF 1914-1918 GAVE THE MOST THAT
MAN CAN GIVE LIFE ITSELF
FOR GOD
FOR KING AND COUNTRY
FOR LOVED ONES HOME AND EMPIRE
FOR THE SACRED CAUSE OF JUSTICE AND
THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD

THEY BURIED HIM AMONG THE KINGS BECAUSE HE
HAD DONE GOOD TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD
HIS HOUSE

St Edward the Confessor’s Chapel and the Shrine of St Edward

At the heart of Henry III’s rebuilding of Westminster Abbey was the magnificent shrine of St Edward the Confessor, whose patronage of the monastery was largely responsible for its wealth and importance.

The shrine stands in its own chapel behind the high altar and occupies the lofty, apsidal east end of the Gothic church. Its importance is emphasised architecturally by the processional ambulatory surrounding it and by the radiating chapels beyond. The original lavish decoration included a Cosmati-work pavement, laid at the same time as the great pavement in the sacrarium, though in a different style. Originally the shrine could be seen from the crossing and quire, and only when the altar screen was built in the mid-fifteenth century did St Edward’s Chapel become the enclosed space it is today.

Saints’ shrines were found in many medieval churches, but in Britain most were destroyed at the Reformation, and Edward is the only major English saint whose body still rests in its medieval shrine. Henry III’s devotion to the Confessor led him to choose burial close to the shrine. Several of his successors followed his example and five kings (Henry III, Edward I, Edward III, Richard II and Henry V) and four queens (Eleanor, Consort of Edward I, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Catherine de Valois) now lie here in some of the most artistically important medieval tombs in the country.

The Shrine was in medieval times an important place of pilgrimage. In recent years, some elements of pilgrimage have been restored. Twice a day, some of the Abbey’s community and visitors assemble in the Shrine for prayer, in addition to parish pilgrim groups each week and a national pilgrimage in October, an important element in the Abbey’s annual rhythm of prayer and devotion.

The Cosmati Pavement

The Cosmati Pavement is a remarkable floor in front of the High Altar, nearly 25 feet square, composed of more than 30,000 pieces of porphyry, onyx and glass, cut to different sizes and shapes and set in geometric designs. The materials were brought from Rome and assembled here in 1268 as part of the decoration of Henry III’s church. The name ‘Cosmati’ refers to the Italian family who specialised in this technique, and the idea of laying such a pavement in the Abbey probably came from Abbot Richard Ware, who went to Rome in 1258 to have his election confirmed by the pope and would have seen similar pavements in the churches there.

There are thought to be only three of these pavements left in the UK, and Westminster Abbey has two of them, the one on the High Altar and the other in the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor. The third is in Canterbury, but it is a fragment and almost entirely restored – the Abbey has the only two complete pavements in their original positions and never to have been wholly re-laid.

The Cosmati Pavement was covered by carpet to protect is fragile surface for most of the last 150 years. It was not visible at either HM The Queen’s wedding or her Coronation. A two-year conservation project completed in May 2010 means that it is now on permanent display to the public.

St Edmund’s Chapel

St Edmund’s Chapel off the South Ambulatory is dedicated to Edmund, king of East Anglia. It has a number of monuments and floorstones, the most significant is the tomb of King Henry III’s half-brother, William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke (d. 1296).

The chapel windows are plain except for three pieces of heraldic glass, placed here in 1938 which depict the three lions of England for Henry III, the red pallets of Provence for his queen, Eleanor, and the red lion rampant crowned for Richard, earl of Cornwall, Henry’s brother-in-law.

Westminster Abbey Bells

The Abbey’s ten bells will be rung prior to the wedding for up to half an hour. After the service a full peal of 5,000 changes will be rung that will take in excess of three hours. Full peals are rung on the Abbey’s bells only for significant occasions. The ringers do this without a break and need to concentrate throughout.

In change ringing the sequence in which the bells sound alters continually. No sequence is repeated. The peal commences and concludes with ‘rounds’, which is the ringing of the bells in order from the highest to the lowest note. A rhythmical and flowing effect is the objective.

The changes to be rung are determined by ringing methods (similar to scripts or scores) which the ringers commit to memory. The Royal Wedding peal will combine two methods, London and Bristol, resulting in a peal of Spliced Surprise Royal.

The conductor, while ringing one of the bells, announces frequently which method is to be followed. He also provides other instructions to achieve the peal length of 5,000 changes.

Abbey Ringers
Members are elected to the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers, a voluntary group, and are able bell ringers. They come from all professions and past members of the Company have included a train driver, a school teacher and a medical consultant. The current membership includes architects, bankers, civil servants, a lawyer, IT workers, a supply chain manager and management consultants.

Royal weddings of the past!

This great comparative table produced by the BBC shows the differences (and similarities) between 8 major Royal Weddings over the last century, absolutely fascinating reading - from Bertie and Elizabeth through to Charles and Camilla.

If you want to brush up on your Royal Wedding history before April 29th, this will certainly help!


BBC News - Royal weddings of the past

Favourite Wedding Quotes

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage." Martin Luther

"Two souls with but a single thought,Two hearts that beat as one" Friedrich Halm

"Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination." Roy Goodman

"There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends" Homer

"Two such as you with such a master speed cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed that life is only life forevermore together wing to wing and oar to oar" Robert Frost

"It took great courage to ask a beautiful young woman to marry me. Believe me, it is easier to play the whole Petrushka on the piano" Arthur Rubinstein

"To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage" Lao Tzu

"To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup, whenever you're wrong, admit it; whenever you're right, shut up" Ogden Nash

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." Germaine Greer

"Marrying a man is like buying something you've been admiring for a long time in a shop window.  You may love it when you get home, but it doesn't always go with everything else in the house. " Jean Kerr

"I never married because I have three pets at home that answer the same purpose as a husband.  I have a dog that growls every morning, a parrot that swears all afternoon and a cat that comes home late at night."
Marie Corelli

"The trouble with some woman is that they get all excited about nothing, and then marry him" Cher

Fancy a pint for the Royal Wedding?

There really is something for everyone when it comes to royal wedding merchandise and British brewers aren't going to miss the opportunity to make a quid.


There's a range of limited-edition amber fluids flowing across the UK in the lead-up to the April 29 marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, some of which, reportedly, is not bad.

The aptly named Windsor Knot tribute beer will be made from a blend of malts and two specially selected hops, said to give it a "refreshing, fruity tang".

From Yorkshire's Wold Top Brewery comes the label I Will, which creator Tom Mellor told the Hull Daily Mail is the perfect pint to toast the marriage of William and Catherine.

There's a mid-strength ale called Better Half, to come from boutique brewery, Devizes, in central England.
Boasting "a punchy, hoppy tang", the brewery's Paul Sullivan told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald that the ale will be available at selected pubs and in mini-casks by mail order.

Tribute beers flow for royal wedding

William and Kate....The movie!?!

Oh dear....oh dear....oh dear....can't say we'll be rushing out to watch this one.

Quirky Royal Wedding souvenirs!

Here are just a few of our favourite Royal Wedding souvenirs thus far:












Prince Harry knows that stag night strippers are just not sexy

When Prince William chose his brother to organise his stag night, Kate Middleton must have felt apprehensive. How would her betrothed cope with the cold, when he woke to find himself tied naked to a lamp-post in Orkney? And, with only five weeks left until the wedding, would his right eyebrow grow back in time?

Yet now we learn that, far from a bacchanal of whooping yobbery, Prince William's stag do consisted of a blameless weekend at a friend's country estate in Norfolk. Prince Harry's reputation, I fear, may never recover.

Still, good for him. The best stag nights are the quietest: six-a-side football or hill-walking or mountain biking, then a country pub. The old stag favourites – stripper, Vegas, boozy arrest – have become hackneyed. And, more to the point, not much fun.
Prince Harry knows that stag night strippers are just not sexy - Telegraph

Bollywood Twist to the Royal Wedding

How well do you know your Family Tree?

Test yourself on your "Royals Knowledge" with this great interactive family tree game, courtesy of ABC:

Royal Wedding: Test Your Knowledge of the Royal Family Tree - ABC News

An Insider's View on the Royal Family

ABC News spoke to Colleen Harris, press secretary to Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry from 1998 to 2003.

Harris started working for Their Royal Highnesses in April 1998, just a few months after Princess Diana died.
"It was still a very raw time for all of the princes. They had been through a very, very difficult period," said Harris about the time when she entered the Royal Household.

"If you think back they'd already gone through the trauma of the separation of their parents. And then, the divorce, and then finally, and sadly, their mother died."

Read the rest of the interview and see video foootage here:

Royal Wedding: Talking to Colleen Harris - ABC News

William and Kate to visit "the North"

Early next month, Prince William and Miss Middleton will travel to Northern England, for what will be their last public appearance as an engaged couple. The palace announced their trip to Darwen, Lancashire, in the English countryside, where the couple will laud organizations that encourage youth to get involved in social change.

The royal couple are set to tour the progressive Darwen Aldrige Community Academy, a school with a mission to "harness entrepreneurship as a catalyst for social change" for all of its 850 students.


Prince William and Kate Middleton to Visit English Countryside to Celebrate Socially Aware Youth - ABC News

Tradtional gesture for the Royal Wedding bouquet

Did you know that there is a long-standing tradition for the Royal Wedding bouquet?

When Wills and Kate get married on April 29th, they will follow a little-known tradition for Royal Couples marrying in Westminster Abbey.

At the Queen's wedding to Prince Phillip in 1947, her bouquet of white orchids was returned to the Abbey the next day and laid on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tradition started by the Queen Mother. The same will now happen with Kate's flowers.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier refers to a grave in which the unidentifiable remains of a soldier are interred. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-profile national monuments. Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified. Following WW1 a movement arose to commemorate these soldiers with a single tomb, containing the body of one such unidentified soldier. The Tomb in Westminster Abbey was unveiled on Armistice Day, 1920.

Pressure grows for Kate's Mother

It is stressful enough at the best of times, being the MOTB (Mother of the bride).

However this MOTB's daughter is marrying into the UK Royal Family, and the Wedding will be seen be millions, potentially billions, across the globe. Those stressful little pre-wedding discussions about "what to wear" must be magnified a thousand-fold.

No surprise then that the Sunday Express reports of "uncharacteristic outburts" and "raised voices" at the family home in Berkshire.

According to the Express:

"The moment you walk in the door you can cut the tension with a knife" reports a regular visitor. "Carole is very on edge and paranoid about putting a foot wrong before April 29. She's been taking on too much. She's not been sleeping well and has been on a strict deit which may explain some of her uncharacteristic mood swings. She seems to have become neurotic about how her family are going to be perceived on the big day."

Builder's daughter Carole has always been the driving force behind the family's success...and displays a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to life. Fortunately her husband Michael is coping well with the pre-wedding pressure and seems unfazed by the prospect of being on display in front of a worldwide television audience as he becomes Prince William's father-in-law.

"When it all gets too much, with Carole sounding off about some petty detail, Michael calmly reaches for the dog's lead and slips out for a walk in the fields behind their house."

Sensible chap.

http://www.sundayexpress.co.uk/helliker

PM's Wife to hold Royal Wedding Party

Everyone's at it!

Samantha Cameron, wife of the British PM, David Cameron, will be among the millions of Britons holding a street party to celebrate the royal wedding.

The Prime Minister and his wife have applied for a licence to host a party in Downing Street on Friday, April 29.
Although Mr and Mrs Cameron have been invited to the royal nuptials at Westminster Abbey and then to a lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace, they will return to Downing Street in the afternoon for the bash.

It is not known who the Camerons will invite on the day, although given the Prime Minister’s commitment to the Big Society there could be a charity theme to the event.

Samantha Cameron to host Royal Wedding party in Downing Street | Mail Online

Lonely Planet on England: Addicted to junk food and celebrity

Hang on a minute, that sounds like America surely?

The country that William and Kate will reign over one day as King and Queen is, according to a new version of Lonely Planet, addicted to junk food and celebrities, and has a "devious" Coalition government! England has been damned as celebrity-obsessed with a ‘dicey’ economy and an addiction to junk food.

The guide, published this month and expected to be bought by 100,000 people worldwide, is regarded as a bible by many travellers.

Co-ordinating author David Else laments that the nation which spawned Shakespeare, Dickens and the Brontes has become obsessed with celebrity.

Addicted to junk food and celebrities...Lonely Planet's damning verdict on England today | Mail Online

William and Kate represent Royal Future

Powerful and respected husband? No problem. Pots of Money? Got that, too. Clothes, attractive looks? Ditto. What does the woman who has it all do after her honeymoon? That's a tough one.

Kate's fame is already undeniable. She is already one of the world's most talked-about women, and that will only increase when she marries Prince William next month. But as yet her royal function remains completely undefined, and much rests on her shoulders.


If her marriage to Wills a joyous union that produces heirs, not tears and recrimination, the young couple could put the somewhat shaky British monarchy on solid footing for generations to come. But if it collapses into a replay of Prince Charles' "I-hate-you-I-hate-you-more" arguments with Princess Diana, the impact on the House of Windsor would be grave...both now and for the future of the Monarchy.

(Maybe she SHOULD say "obey" in her Wedding Vows!)

Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton represent royal future | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Wills and Kate each have their own cakes

How British is William?

He wants HIS cake (she can have what she wants) to be made from McVities Rich Tea biscuits and chocolate!

Brilliant!

'Two cakes' Kate: Multi-tiered fruit cake and William's favourite - Rich Tea biscuits and dark chocolate...(we'll have that one please) | Mail Online

Royal Wedding to feature Two Cakes!

Why have just one cake, when two will be much, much better?

Fearne Cotton and Edith Bowman join BBC's royal wedding team

Radio 1 DJs Fearne Cotton and Edith Bowman will be among the BBC presenters joining Huw Edwards for the corporation's coverage of the royalwedding across two TV channels and four national radio stations.


Edwards was confirmed last year as the main anchor for BBC1 and BBC News Channel coverage of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on 29 April – leaving no room for the consummate David Dimbleby who has fronted the corporation's coverage of most major state events for more than a decade.

Fearne Cotton and Edith Bowman join BBC's royal wedding team | Media | guardian.co.uk

So will Kate 'obey'?

Kate Middleton may decline the option to ‘obey’ her husband when she chooses her wedding vows.

In a move that would follow Princess Diana’s lead, she might pledge only ‘to love and to cherish’ Prince William after the Archbishop of Canterbury indicated that the centuries-old tradition is sexist and outdated.


Yesterday royal aides said that the couple have chosen which version of the vows they will use on April 29, but want to keep their decision under wraps.


So will Kate 'obey'? Royal bride may follow Diana's lead and drop the ancient vow | Mail Online

Wills' Stag Do is Today!!

PRINCE William will today go on a secret stag party organised by his brother Harry.

He is expected to join more than 20 pals at a location out of London.

Wills, 28 - who weds Kate Middleton in five weeks - insisted the bash had to be in the UK.

But Harry, 26, has kept his elder brother guessing what is in store.


If Harry is in charge, roll on strippers and a transit van to Calais!! Whoo-hoo!



Prince William’s stag do is today | The Sun |News

Wedding Fever hits Canadian shops

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is April 29, five days after Easter Sunday, and merchants in Canada already have plans for cashing in on the big day.


At the tony Windsor Arms in Toronto, owner George Friedmann has created a 1920s-style tea room as the centerpiece for locals to celebrate the royal wedding. The silver will be polished, bone china arranged and guests will feast on smoked salmon, caviar and fois gras.

"It's a unique experience because it allows us to virtually be part of something that will be the future monarch," Friedmann told the CBC. The hotel's pastry chef, Rita Marini-Giallonardo, is adding a gold leaf to bite-sized pastries and guests will be able to watch the wedding on an over-sized TV at the hotel.

This is a global event people! It isn't just the UK who are fascinated...and who want to benefit from...the Royal Wedding!

Royal wedding fever hits Canadian merchants - Toronto - CBC News

Etiquette, Wedding Crashers and Smartphone Apps

Thanks to the BBC, a summary of this week's highlight news surrounding the eagerly anticpated Royal Wedding!

BBC News - Royal wedding watch: Etiquette, wedding crashers and smartphone apps

UK Designer Makes Fascinators Fit for a Princess

For Kate Middleton, fascinators are a key part of her style.  The future princess and global fashion icon wears them with confidence whether she's attending a wedding for one of her college mates or helping Prince William launch a lifeboat at Anglesey.



To add fascinators to your wardrobe and accessorize like the bride-to-be, order them from Tiaras And Fascinators.com at http://www.tiarasandfascinators.com/. Owner and designer Nicola Sidaway-Smith has a variety of unique designs to choose from, or you can work with her to design a special head piece to for your upcoming party, wedding, or other special event.  Speaking from my amazing experience with this brilliant designer, Nicola will respond to your requests quickly and work closely with you step-by-step to create one-of-a-kind fascinators that will turn heads and make you stand out at your next big events.  Browse the beautiful designs already available at her website, or click "contact us"  at the top of the page to place a custom order.

Examples of the custom designs she's made for me are below.  Nicola is looking forward to hearing from you and helping you add this key piece of Kate's look to yours!


Throw an Eco-Friendly Party!

Crack open the champagne and bring out the bunting: Ruth Styles looks at green ways to throw a suitably stylish Royal Wedding shebang!

Whether you’re for the monarchy or not, the extra holiday laid on to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials is worth celebrating. The UK has a long history of street parties, starting in 1919 when Brits threw ‘Peace Teas’ to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. But while street parties are great for getting to know the neighbours, not everything about them is good for the environment. Paper plates and cups, burst balloons and plastic bunting are just some of the many extra bits of rubbish that will be making their way to landfill sites once the music stops.

Charles would be proud!

How to…throw an eco-friendly Royal Wedding party - Green Living - The Ecologist

Kate gets seal of approval from William's Godfather

The former king of Greece told The Associated Press on Monday that his godson Prince William has found the ideal partner in Kate Middleton.

Ex-King Constantine, a longtime family friend and a distant relation of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, said William will be able to draw strength from Middleton in the years to come.

"Kate is ideal for him," said Constantine from a drawing room in his London mansion, where informal photos of European royals — including William as a little boy dressed in a blue and white sailor suit — were displayed.
Prince William`s godfather thinks Kate`s great

Good God: Kate and Wills even design their own souvenirs


With the royal wedding in little over a month, potters making the official china have turned up the heat as the day draws near.


The first ever Loving Cup was hand-gilded at a pottery in Staffordshire yesterday, bearing the entwined initials C and W to stand for Prince William and Kate - or Catherine - Middleton, in gold and silver.

The fine bone china two-handled cup, which is new to the range of Official Royal Wedding Commemorative China, also features the coronet of Prince William and the wedding date.

Royal Wedding: Kate Middleton and Prince William design own official cup | Mail Online

Wills is given kissing lessons before he marries Kate

Prince William has been given some marital advice by the mother of his former nanny.

Shan Legge-Bourke, whose grandson Tom Pettifer will be a page boy at the Prince’s marriage to Kate Middleton, says: “Always go to sleep with a kiss, even if you have had a row.”

(If Kate needs any kissing lessons just let me know, I'd be happy to help :-))

Royal wedding: Prince William is given a kissing lesson before he marries Kate Middleton - Telegraph

St Andrews remembers a thirsty Prince William

With the royal wedding just a month away, a waiter at the plush St Andrews resort favoured by Prince William has spoken of his memories of the royal student — and revealed details of the groom-to-be's favourite tipple.

The Courier - St Andrews barman's memories of a thirsty Prince William

Kate Middleton - Party Girl!

Top Ten things Kate can't do once she marries Wills

Kate is essentially a commoner so she will need to lose some of her proletariate ways once she is Royalty...

Here is a Top Ten list of things Kate won't be able to do once she is Princess Kate!!
10 Things Kate Middleton Can't Do After She Marries Prince William

Is there too much Wedding coverage?

Turn on the TV, open any tabloid magazine, or simply log online and chances are you'll be greeted by the smiling faces of Prince William and his fiancé, Kate Middleton. Their wedding is being called the wedding of the year, even the century, and the media is working overtime looking for any new scrap of detail.

But on April 29th, will the eyes of the world really be on Westminster Abbey? Does interest in this royal wedding justify the endless coverage?

Wedding Royale: Is there too much royal wedding coverage? - ABC News

Boom time for British Entrepreneurs

Sometimes it is easy to forget, surrounded by the sea of plastic tat and flimsy tourist postcards, that the royal wedding is providing an extraordinary opportunity for British businesses. Amid the disgust of hardened republicans and the knowing cynicism of the Twitterati, one can overlook the fact that for every commemorative plate you see advertised in the back of a mid-market tabloid, there are people like Peter Jones and his family, who rely on national occasions such as this one to make their living.

The Centre for Retail Research estimates that Prince William's wedding next month will give a £515.5m boost to retailers, with souvenirs alone bringing in £222m. The rise in online shopping over the past 10 years means sales are expected to exceed those for Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981 or the Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Royal wedding: Boom time for Britain's patriotic entrepreneurs | UK news | The Observer

Seven Signs you have snapped your own Prince Charming

Kate has snagged hers - but what about you? Still looking for Mr Right - or Prince Charming?

Barbara Hayes, Marriage and Family Therapist, shows you how to spot the signs you have found a Prince Charming and not a Frog!

Barbara Hayes: Seven Signs He's Your Own Prince Charming

Error on NZ stamps forces recall

An embarrassing mistake has forced NZ Post to withdraw its royal wedding presentation stamp pack only a few weeks before Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, and Kate Middleton are married.

The pack, which sold for $19.90, was released this week but included the wrong birth date for the prince in the text.

Instead of the correct date of June 21, 1982, the pack said Prince William was born on May 21.


Well, with so much Royal stuff flying out of the doors, it can't all be perfect!!


Mistake forces royal wedding stamp recall | Stuff.co.nz

Top Tips for Wedding Make Up

With just over a month to go to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, an army of experts are creating the perfect look. But for brides without this beauty back-up, we asked a crack team of hair and make-up specialists, who have styled previous royal brides, to share their best beauty tips.

Top tips from Royal Wedding make-up artists | Mail Online

Russell Brand's sex tips for Kate and Wills

THE dress is almost finished, the carriage is booked and the guests are invited. Now Russell Brand has offered Prince William and Kate Middleton the one gift they almost certainly didn’t ask for: his top tips for shagging.

The crazy comic, a self-confessed sex addict, has settled down with American singer Katy Perry and reveals his trick for keeping the passion in a marriage: a leetle bit of role play in ze boudoir. Nice.

Wonder what Kate and Wills could role play as. They can't role-play as beautiful princess and dashing prince...they already are. Maybe they can role-play as plumber and bored housewife??

Russell Brands’s sex tips for Prince William and Kate Middleton

Camilla on Kate

Kate seems to have earnt her step mother-in-law's approval....probably useful.

'Kate's a lovely girl' according to the Duchess of Cornwall who has spoken publicly about the soon-to-be Princess for the first time.

Camilla, who has become Kate Middleton's mentor since Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement, has grown close to her stepson's fiancee ahead of their wedding in just over a month's time.


Royal Wedding: Camilla talks publicly about stepdaughter-in-law to be Kate Middleton for the first time | Mail Online

Potter unveils the "loving cup"

A loving cup bearing the entwined initials C and W is among the latest additions to the official range of royal wedding china.

Prince William and Kate Middleton had the final say on the design which includes doves, ribbons and hearts.
Linda Hancox, who hand-gilded the first loving cup at a pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, said her hand was shaking for the nerve-wracking task.

Demand is high for the Royal Collection range ahead of the 29 April wedding.


BBC News - Royal wedding: Loving cup unveiled by official potter

Royal Etiquette Guide - No Tweeting

If you are lucky enough to be attending the Royal Wedding, you need to watch this Etiquette video!

(If you're watching from home, sat in your pants with a can of lager and a flag, you can do what you like!)

YouTube - No Tweeting: A Royal Wedding Etiquette Guide

Digital release for the Royal Wedding

My, my, we live in modern times!

When Prince William marries his long-time love Kate Middleton, their wedding will become the first in history to get a immediate digital release.

The nuptials which will take place at Westminster Abbey on April 29 will be recorded and immediately released digitally.

Decca Records, a part of the Universal label, will release the entire wedding service on the world's download and streaming platforms within hours of the service ending. It will hit shops at the beginning of May!





William, Kate's wedding to be released digitally

Do you prefer "Kate" or "Catherine"?

It may be years before Kate Middleton becomes queen, but questions are already being raised about the princess-to-be's preferred moniker: Queen Kate or Queen Catherine?


Ever since her engagement became official in November, palace officials -- and her fiance, Prince William -- have taken to calling her Catherine, the name used on the official, gold-embossed invitations to their nuptials at Westminster Abbey on April 29. "Catherine" sounds more formal, regal and fitting for a future queen, experts say.




But Middleton herself may not embrace the change just yet. During a joint visit Tuesday with Prince William to Northern Ireland, Middleton mentioned casually that she thinks of herself primarily as Kate.


Is future princess 'Kate' or 'Catherine'? | The News Journal | delawareonline.com

More "Bridget Jones" than "Waity Katie"

Latest pics from the upcoming American movie of how Kate and Wills got together show the delicious Camilla Luddington in bath, crying her eyes out, with a glass of wine in her hand. (Shame those bubbles are in the way) Looks much more like the latest Rom Com than a serious study of soon-to-be the most famous couple in Christendom!



More Bridget Jones than Waity Katie: Royal bride-to-be Miss Middleton cries into her wine glass after being dumped by Prince William according to U.S. film | Mail Online

Even Charles is at it - Royal Wedding jigsaws for sale in his shops!

My god, after the Middleton's well-documented machiavellian corporate scheming, even Charlie is getting in on the act!

Yes Prince Charles, heir to the throne and father of Prince William, is selling in his Highgrove shops a "Kate and Wills" commemorative jigsaw puzzle....so even the Royal Fajmily itself is getting in on the merchandising act!

Okay, okay, so the profits go to the Prince's Trust charity which is a good thing...but still. Leaves a slightly sour taste in the mouth. (Hey, at least he isn't selling Royal Condoms in his shop...)

Royal wedding: Prince Charles sells William and Kate jigsaw puzzle - Telegraph

Royal wedding cell phone for sale

Commemorative plates, coins, figurines, cakes, even condoms (our favourite)...now something a little more for the geek squad...a fully branded up Union Jack phone to celebrate the Royal Wedding - brilliant!

While you may still not have a picture of your own partner on your mobile device, the inexpensive Alcatel cellular comes complete with an official Kate and William screen shot, along with the initials C and W on the back. There’s also the wedding date engraved there, so you’ll remember that — but not your own.



Royal wedding cell phone for sale | Life | Toronto Sun

William and Kate: the American movie

We're loving this idea: Kate and William, the cheesy American wholesome made-for-tv movie!

An American channel called 'Lifetime' has commissioned a made-for-telly movie about Kate Middleton and Prince William following their lives from when they first met at university through to their wedding day. And from what we've seen of the leaked footage knocking around it promises to be just as brilliant as you'd expect.

William and Kate: the American movie. Seriously. | heatworld.com

Kate Middleton's parents set their sights on Camilla's old manor house

The solid rise of Kate Middleton’s parents up the social order is poised to take an unexpected leap. Carole and Michael Middleton have been to look over a substantial manor house up for sale with a price tag close to £5million. In a curious twist (coincidence? shurely shome mistake...) the house in question used to be owned by Camilla Parker Bowles (No..!) at the height of her affair with Prince Charles (you don't say).

The ruthless Middletons attempt to climb further up the arse of the Royals (as clearly it isn't enough that your daughter is to marry the future King of England....this is almost Tudor-like in its scheming, utterly birlliant!!)


Kate Middleton's parents set their sights on Camilla's old manor house | Mail Online

Jealousy stalks Kate 'Barbie' Middleton

Oh dear. It was only a matter of time. Cat Fight!!

Zara Philips - always a bit of a feisty filly - is apparently referring to Kate as "Barbie" and is now resenting the fact that her wedding is a "Mini Royal Wedding" - a sideshow to the machine that is Kate and Wills wedding. You can't blame her really, her big day is now an insignificant speck on the Royal calendar, and even her fiancee Mike Tindall is buggering off and delaying the honeymoon. Poor old Zara...keep tuned for further "resentment"!!

Jealousy stalks Kate 'Barbie' Middleton - Commentators, Opinion - The Independent

Kate Middleton wants Victoria Beckham’s dresses for Royal honeymoon

Kate has been on the phone to Posh to source some new fashion ideas. Prince William's bride, 29, phoned Posh to say she loved her outfits after the pregnant mum of three sent a selection of her spring/summer collection. Kate also asked the former Spice Girl, 36, for general advice on evening wear during the romantic break after her April 29 wedding.

Wouldn't it be astonishing if any kind of friendship evolved between Posh and Becks and Wills and Kate? Talk about a modernising monarchy....

More to the point if Kate is following Posh's style we can look forward to some shots of Kate looking like...this! 


Kate Middleton wants Victoria Beckham’s dresses for Royal honeymoon | The Sun |News

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Kensington Palace quandary

Wills and Kate are considering making Kensignton Palace their marital home following April 29th...but police and security are officers are concerned about the proximity of the Royal Couple to the hoardes of public visitors who will flock to KP (which is open to the public).

The grounds and interiors of the palace are currently being upgraded, and Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the organisation which is responsible for the public parts of the property, expects visitor numbers to increase from 250,000 a year to 350,000 after the work is completed in 2012.

Scotland Yard will be advising Wills and Kate on security issues should Kensington be their family home.

Royal Wedding: Prince William and Kate Middleton's Kensington Palace quandary - Telegraph

Kate Middleton's mother Carole 'up in arms' over local pub's Royal wedding party

Apparently Kate's usually composed mother, Carole Middleton, is kicking off about the local pub's planned celebrations for the Royal Wedding.

She has confronted the landlord of a local pub over fears he is turning the wedding into a circus by holding a £15-a-head party on the day of the event which includes a ‘best prince and princess’ competition.

Erm....of COURSE it's going to be a circus, it already is...and surely Carole doesn't begrudge a small business making a bit of money on the back of the Wedding? Something she would never do, we're sure.... ;-)


Kate Middleton's mother Carole 'up in arms' over local pub's Royal wedding party | Mail Online

Dean 'nervous' about royal wedding

The Dean of Westminster has admitted he is feeling nervous little more than a month before the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall will conduct the service at Westminster Abbey on April 29, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will marry the couple.

The Dean, speaking at an event hosted by the Prince of Wales to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, said his main emotions were of "nervousness and excitement, close together".

Kate is a good-looking filly: Let's hope she doesn't wear anything too revealing or sexy either: as Hugh Grant says in Four Weddings and a Funeral, when Andie MacDowell tries on a slinky number, "There's nothing worse than a priest with an enormous erection."

The Press Association: Dean 'nervous' about royal wedding

Tiara or Not Tiara: That is the Question

Speculation has been rife about the Dress for April 29′s royal wedding. But we have our mind on higher things: What about Kate Middleton’s sparkly tiara? And her hair? So many questions! We do our best to answer them. Below, all you need to know about royal wedding headgear.


Post Primer: Kate Middleton’s royal wedding headgear | Posted | National Post

The William and Kate effect

An estimated 2.4 billion are expected to tune into the Royal Wedding. It isn't just the UK or the Commonwealth countries who feel obliged to dig out their Silver Jubilee flags and have a street party. All around the world TV networks are going crazy for the Wedding. Think of the Advertising Revenue!

Channels including E!, TLC and NBC have already scheduled hours of programming dedicated to the theme, while broadcasters are planning to fly hundreds of reporters and camera crews into London to cover the event

There will always be something fascinating for our friends over the pond who love the Royal Family, the pomp and circumstance, the history.

Even more palatable now we have a HOT princess!!


The William and Kate effect: How TV networks are tuning into the U.S. obsession with the Royal Wedding | Mail Online

Disaster forces Japan royals to skip Royal Wedding

No great surprise here, but as everyone knows it always complicates the seating plan when someone doeson't come to your wedding. Following the catastrophic events in Japan, the Japanese Royal amily will not be in attendance for Kate and Wills' bash on April 29th. An entirely sensible and appropriate decision.

Disaster forces Japan royals to skip Prince William's wedding | Reuters

Kate Middleton gets own variety of Haribo

Haribo aren't daft, are they?

Word gets round a few weeks ago that Queen Kate likes getting stuck into a bag of Haribo jelly sweets, and suddenly the Haribo marketeers announce that Kate will be honoured by that small little boy with black hair with her own pack of "Hearts and Rings" sweets to celebrate the big day. So instead of throwing rice, we can all throw half-masticated jelly sweets at the bride! Yaay!

Royal wedding: Kate Middleton gets own variety of Haribo sweets to mark big day - mirror.co.uk

William is big "Down Under"

The Royal Wedding is one of Australia's most anticipated events of the year - after all, we do share the same Royal Family - but interesting that in a country moving towards a Republic that they love the Royals so much. William, as a funky young prince seems to have gone down well, let's just hope his head isn't turned by some stunning Aussie surfer babe!

BBC News - Why republican Australia warms to Prince William

Identity of buyer of Kate Middleton's dress is revealed

The identity of the mystery "Nick from Jersey" who paid £65k plus fees for Kate's see-through dress, has been revealved....and he has confirmed that the dress will be put up for a further auction to raise money for charity - good stuff.

BBC News - Identity of buyer of Kate Middleton's dress is revealed

Kate Middleton's See-Through Dress Sells for How Much?!

My word...if a dress she wore once (when stalking Prince William) sells for this much, imagine how much anything wedding-related might sell for. And let's just hope she hasn't left a pair of knickers in the gym changing rooms, which would probably sell for the same as the GDP of a small developing nation.

Kate Middleton's See-Through Dress Sells for How Much?! - E! Online

Prince William has arrived in New Zealand

Prince William will be in New Zealand on a 5 day tour on behalf of the queen visiting the areas hit by earthequakes and flooding in recent weeks. 

The prince will visit The earthquake whilst not on the scale fo Japan tragically still claimed more than 200 lives and was New Zealand's worst disaster in living memory.Christchurch city centre which was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.3 in terms of its size.

The prince will also fly to Australia to visit the states of Queensland and Victoria which were recently ravaged by floodwaters and which also resulted in loss of life.

Kate is not accompanying the prince on this trip as she's not officially a member of the royal family until they wed on 29th April 2011.

No presents....Please donate to charity instead

It has been widely reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton were concerned that to have an opulent wedding during these times of austerity would be highly inappropriate. There is a lot of hardship around and it is to their credit that this has been at the forefront of their minds whilst planning the wedding which is due to take place on 29th April 2011. Prince WIlliam is very in tune with the British Public and the mood of the nation and it is these empathic qualties that really do put Prince William in a league of his own.

Equally, the couple are aware that London, the nation and the world is in dire need of something good to celebrate and all being well the big event will reflect the ecomonic times so as not to offend and allow everybody to forget about their troubles for at least one day and share in the happy celebrations.

In keeping on this sensitive path Prince William and Kate Middleton have set up a new charity fund for 26 charities, many of which are very small but all of which have been chosen by the couple.

The couple have asked that those people intending on sending presents consider making a donation to the fund instead. Those wishing to make a donation can do so through the offical site at http://www.royalweddingcharityfund.org 

The site enables you to take a closer look at the charities chosen and you are able to speficy which charities you want your donation to go to.

Christopher Warren-Green will conduct the Charlotte Symphony at the Royal Wedding

St. James’s Palace announced yesterday that Charlotte Symphony Music Director Christopher Warren-Green will conduct the London Chamber Orchestra at the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011.

The wedding ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Abbey. The Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall will conduct the service. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Rowan Williams will marry Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The London Chamber Orchestra is the UK’s oldest professional chamber orchestra. Christopher Warren-Green was appointed as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the London Chamber Orchestra in 1988 and continues to hold that position. In September 2010, he became Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony.

Paper dolls and a new Mr. Men for Wills and Kate

If you don't fancy a commemorative plate or mug, then books are always a solution......

The latest range of products to celebrate the Royal Wedding include a book of paper dolls where you can dress up Prince William or Kate Middleton, or, my personal favourite, a new Mr Men book designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series - "Little Miss Princess". Rumour has it that Camilla has already been reading it to her grandchildren in preparation for the big day on April 29th!


Paper dolls and a new Mr. Men for Wills and Kate | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Business has mixed emotions on royal wedding

Whilst analysts, predict the April 29 wedding will provide a massive boost to the UK economy, largely through retail sales, hotel bookings, and hospitality trade...each public holiday also typically costs the economy billions in lost productivity.

On the ground though, away from Analysts in tall glass towers, the Federation of Small Businesses is worried about the timing of the wedding. A holiday so soon after Easter increases the chances of many workers taking extra holiday time — or a few unauthorized sick days — to extend their time off. With a bit of clever jiggery-pokery, employees can have an 11-day break....and who isn't going to try and wangle that?

Business has mixed emotions on royal wedding - The Boston Globe

Kate Middleton receives apology from high street chain over posters

Russell and Brromly, the shoe chain, have been given a kick up the backside for exploiting Kate Middleton. The store advertised Kate on posters in store wearing their shoes, without permission, and going against the general rule of thumb that commercial entreprises should not "exploit" her.

Russell & Bromley has apologised for “exploiting” the future princess by putting up pictures of her wearing a pair of brown suede boots that it sells. The firm sent its branches a large print of Kate wearing the ankle boots when she made her first official public visit with her fiancé, to launch a lifeboat in north Wales. The poster went up at outlets including its flagship store in Oxford Street, London, where it was hung in a frame. No one from the company sought permission from Kate or the Prince.

In a way I feel a bit sorry for R&B: Are we seriously suggesting that every commemorative cup, mug, plate, keyring, condom etc has sought permission and obtained it?!

Kate Middleton receives apology from high street chain over posters - Telegraph

Royal Stimulus or Royal Pain in the A***

Are the Middletons milking the moment?

Yes unfortunately it would seem that Kate's parents are being pretty mercenary and capitalist about the whole "our daughter's marrying a prince" thing. Rather than keeping a low profile as any respectable family should do, their website lists hundreds of items you can buy from them linked to the Royal Wedding for parties. This suggests that the Britannia scratchcards announced yesterday were not so much an abherration, but part of a sustained strategy to generate as much revenue as possible from their daughter's wedding.

Surely it is enough to know that your daughter is marrying into Royalty and will be financially secure for life?

I fear the Middletons are milking the moment | Mail Online

Royal Wedding will be celebrated by 10,000 campers on Clapham Common

One of London's most famous parks will be made into a huge campsite to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton next month.


Camp Royale, in Clapham Common, London, will have room for 10,000 people to watch the royal wedding on a big screen, with prizes being offered for the most eye-catching tents.

His royal crassness

Prince Andrew’s enthusiasm for high living and the UK arms trade is doing his reputation no good now
the Middle East is in turmoil and a friend has been jailed for sex offences, writes MARK HENNESSY

Getting Your Own Slice of Prince William’s Wedding

THEY have already bought their sapphire-and-diamond engagement rings from the Home Shopping Network, found wedding gowns at local thrift shops and planned their rehearsal dinner and wedding day events. Never mind that Gigi Baay and Marianne Swanson of New Orleans are married with children.

Royal Wedding street party cancelled after organisers told they need £5million liability insurance

A STREET party to celebrate the royal wedding has been cancelled after organisers were told they would have to take out £5million public liability insurance.
Hayley Mills and a group of friends were also given a 30-point health and safety checklist whey they contacted their council to find out how best to plan their own special day when Prince William marries Kate Middleton.

William and Kate choose Canada for first overseas visit

For their first official trip abroad as a married couple, Kate and Wills have decided to bypass Las Vegas, Celebration, Florida and America's other cultural wonders in favor of Ottawa. The Canadian government began lobbying for the honor early.

David Beckham allowed to attend the royal wedding

David Beckham has been given special permission by his LA Galaxy football bosses to attend the royal wedding, according to reports.

The 35-year-old should be playing in a crucial match against FC Dallas in Texas 48 hours after Prince William and Kate Middleton marry in London on April 29.

Pimm's aims to crash Royal Wedding parties

Diageo is plotting a tactical marketing campaign around next month's Royal Wedding, flooding the market with Pimm's-branded bunting for use at the thousands of street parties expected to take place across the UK.

The drinks company is understood to have spent about £500,000 buying up supplies of bunting, as it looks to capitalise on the celebrations marking the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Royal wedding: Alexander McQueen's protege to design Kate Middleton's wedding dress

Britain Prepares For Nationwide Royal Bash!


(Reuters) - Thousands of Britons are planning to get out the bunting, balloons and fold-up tables and hold street parties across the country to celebrate next month's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

About two thousand requests have already been made to local councils for road closures to allow street events to be held on April 29th when the couple tie the knot at London's Westminster Abbey, the Local Government Association said on Saturday.

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Shropshire Pie Wins Royal Seal Of Approval

Prince William and Kate Middleton have given their royal seal of approval to a giant pork pie cooked at a Shropshire shop – as a British brewery announced that it is creating a unique drink to mark their wedding.
Eley’s Pie Shop in Ironbridge received a letter from Prince William and Miss Middleton last week to say thanks for sending the 20-inch-wide pie as a wedding gift.