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THE WEDDING OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON: A CRASH COURSE

THE BIG DAY lmost 7 billion peo- will be a major global event. THE FASHION
Being married on a Friday Many British fashion
may seem like an interruption to
ple live on our plan- Part of the attraction may designers are hoping one of
the work week, but the British et, and more than be the fantasy element — a their own will be selected to
prime minister declared the cou- design the bridal gown.
ple’s wedding day a national one-third of the regular woman is marrying a Middleton is keeping the
holiday so most Brits can plan world population is expected prince. She’ll become a royal gown a secret to surprise
on a three-day weekend. Prince William and no details
The wedding procession to watch the televised royal and live the rest of her life in are known. The bridesmaid
will begin at Buckingham wedding on April 29. a palace as a princess. dresses also are a secret.
Palace and pass many impor- While Prince William has
tant landmarks including the The wedding between Curious about the fairy tale not revealed his attire, it’s like-
House of Parliament and Big Prince William and Kate come to life? Here’s what ly he will wear his Royal Air
Ben on the way to Westminster Force uniform, joining a long
Abbey. The Abbey was also the Middleton, a commoner the world will be watch- list of royal men who wore
location of Princes Diana’s uniforms to their wedding. His
1997 funeral.
from Berkshire, England, ing. — Emilie Lucchesi, MCT father wore the Royal Navy
Pippa uniform to his 1981 wedding
Middleton, to Lady Diana Spencer.
younger sis- Guest attire also is more pre-
ter of the dictable. Men tend to wear
bride, will black or gray morning jackets
serve as maid with waistcoats and ties. The
of honor, morning jacket is considered
Prince Harry
while Prince formal wear for a British wed-
Harry, William’s younger broth- ding but day/lounge suits also
er, will serve as best man. The are popular. These jackets have
rest of the wedding party is far long tails and are usually mid-
too young to taste champagne at gray, dark gray or navy blue.
the reception and is composed Female guests are expect-
of children ages 3 to 10 who are ed to wear suits or dresses —
the children of nobility. wearing all black or white is
The service begins unacceptable. Hats
at 11 a.m. London may be worn as
time. After the cere- long as the brim
mony, the couple is modest.
will return to
Buckingham Palace in a 1902 THE MENU
State Landau Carriage. The car-
Lamb mousse? Boiled fruit-
riage is open air and the couple
cake? Royal wedding recep-
may have to ride in a glass car-
tion menus typically include
riage if the weather is wet.
items most American guests
The reception is hosted by
would pass over at a buffet.
the Queen and paid for by both
The couple is keeping mum
the bride and groom’s family. Kate Middleton may be a commoner but parents’ party supply company.
on the menu, only hinting that
her life hasn’t been ordinary. Born in The couple briefly broke up in 2007
two cakes are expected — one
Berkshire, England, the oldest of three chil- and reconciled in the same year. They
will be a chocolate biscuit cake
dren, Middleton led a life of privilege with became engaged three years later after
made upon the prince’s request.
access to the best schools and world travel. Prince William sought the permission of
They’ll also likely start with a
Middleton’s mother is a former flight Middleton’s father. He proposed in
canapé since the Buckingham
attendant and her father was a dispatcher. October 2010 during a vacation in Kenya.
Palace catering team offers a
Her parents left the airline industry to start Middleton was expecting a proposal but
selection of 150 varieties.
a party supply company. The company was the timing was a surprise.
Whatever they choose — it’s
a success and the Middleton children Prince William gave
Three generations of likely to suit British tastes.
enjoyed a comfortable life. Middleton the engagement
the British royal family, Here is a sampling of
Middleton met Prince William in 2001 ring worn by his late
Queen Elizabeth II and interesting items served at
when they were both students at University mother, Princess Diana.
her husband, the Duke past royal receptions.
of St. Andrews in Fife, The oval ring, above, is a
of Edinburgh right; Boiled fruitcake: The
their oldest son, the Scotland. Prince William sapphire surrounded by
dreaded gift most Americans
Prince of Wales, left, graduated with a degree 14 diamonds, mount-
toss at Christmas was served
and his oldest son, in geography in 2005 ed on 18 carat white gold.
at Prince Charles and Camilla
Prince William, center. and now serves in the The couple will live in North
Parker-Bowles’ 2005 wedding.
THE LINE OF SUCCESSION Royal Air Force. Wales following
The reception was a lavish tra-
After Queen Elizabeth leaves Middleton graduated the wedding.
ditional tea and also included
the throne, a line of succession with a degree in art Prince
egg and cress sandwiches.
determines who rules next. history the same year William will
Lamb mousse: The 1981
1. Prince Charles of Wales and briefly worked as an continue
2. Prince William of Wales wedding
accessories buyer for a to serve
3. Prince Henry of Wales between
4. The Duke of York
clothing company. She in the
Prince
5. Princess Beatrice of York also worked for her military.
Charles and
6. Princess Eugenie of York
7. The Earl of Wessex Lady Diana
8. Viscount Severn Spencer,
9. The Lady Louise right, includ-
Mountbatten-Windsor ed chicken
10. The Princess Royal
stuffed with lamb mousse.
Eggs Drumkilbo: This
THE LAST dish is hardboiled eggs molded
COMMONER with lobster, shrimp and mayo.
The marriage of Prince It was the Queen mother’s
William and Kate Middleton favorite and served at the 1986
will be a public holiday in the wedding of Prince Andrew and
United Kingdom. The bride Duchess Sarah Ferguson.
likely never imagined herself
as a royal with a televised
SOUVENIRS
wedding and the title of Her The British tourism author-
Royal Highness. ity is promoting the royal
Both Prince William and wedding as an event worth
Middleton will receive their traveling to London to wit-
titles from the queen after the ness. Wedding paraphernalia
marriage. Middleton is con- and souvenirs may bring in
sidered the first commoner to big bucks. Here’s a sampling:
marry an heir apparent in 1. Prince William and Kate
more than Middleton postage stamps,
350 years. sold by the Royal Mail.
In 1660, 2. Prince William and Kate
Anne Hyde Middleton collector coins,
wed the sold by the Royal Mint.
Duke of 3. Crown Jewel Royal
York who Wedding
became King souvenir
Anne Hyde James II. But condoms,
Hyde’s parents were aristocratic not ap-
and Hyde even served as proved by
bridesmaid to Princess Mary. Bucking-
Middleton has no aristocrat- ham Palace.
ic or noble ties. 4. And for those
S O U R C E S : O F F I C I A L R OYA L W E D D I N G
sick of royal wedding cover-
S I T E , T H E R OYA L PA R K S , B B C, age, Barf Bags by British
DEBRETT’S WEDDING GUIDE; OFFICIAL MCT
WEBSITE OF THE BRITISH MONARCHY I M AG E S designer Lydia Leith.

ROYAL WEDDING
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE