London Exhibit Lets You Be Prince William’s Fiancee

by Melanie Renzulli on

When Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement last November 16, tears were shed ’round the world as millions of women realized that their fantasy of walking down the aisle of Westminster Abbey as the bride of Prince William would never come true. The upcoming royal wedding on April 29, 2011, in London – sure to be one of the biggest media spectacles of the year – will further quash those girlhood princess bride dreams.

Luckily, ladies-in-waiting still have one last chance to play fiancee to the 28-year-old Prince of Wales. A new exhibit in London gives you the chance to marry Prince William, or at least a wax likeness of him. American artist Jennifer Rubell’s interactive exhibit titled “Engagement” includes a life-size waxy Will (with a more-generous-than-reality hairline), a replica of Kate’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring, and five libations associated with the British monarchy. Visitors to the installation are encouraged to slide on the ring, stand arm-in-arm with the beaming Wills, have a friend or a passer-by snap a photo of the happy couple, then enjoy a post-engagement toast with nips of rum, gin, Madeira wine, whisky, or sloe gin.

So, if you’re looking for a way to spice up your Facebook profile photo: put on your best dress, perfect your hair and make-up, and head over to the Stephen Friedman Gallery in London. But hurry! This limited “engagement” will only be on display until March 5, 2011.

Princess Ships to Broadcast Historic Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

by Chris Owen on

Just announced, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be televised live on Princess Cruises ships on April 29. Passengers can follow along with full coverage of the historic wedding through BBC World’s broadcast of the event.

Some other lines made a similar announcement in December. Princess Cruises is doing it differently though.

“As this is the first British royal wedding in years we know there will be wide interest among our passengers,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We at Princess also feel a connection with Prince William because his mother, Princess Diana, christened our original Royal Princess back in 1984.”
Princess is adding onboard viewing parties complete with British-style refreshments and royal-themed cocktails as they watch the most extensive coverage of this royal event. BBC is the official wedding broadcaster and has exclusive access inside Westminster Abbey during the ceremony.

Onboard events include a William and Kate look-alike contest and royal wedding trivia competitions.

Royal Wedding broadcasts are planned for all ships in the Princess fleet, subject to satellite availability. Shown on giant 300 sq ft “Movies Under The Stars” LED screens like they have the Super Bowl and Academy Awards in the past, there will be a good seat for everyone to watch the entire event.

Flickr photo by TossMyPancake


British companies roll out royal wedding packages for the big day

by Gadling Staff on

The much-anticipated royal wedding is now less than three months away. We didn’t receive a coveted save-the-date fax, so it’s safe to say we won’t be sitting between Elton John and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

That’s OK, though – there are plenty of other ways to celebrate the Wedding of the Century without all the excessive bowing and curtsying. In the same predicament? Well, you could celebrate stateside with the Trump International Hotel’s royal wedding package; or, you could skip the pond for the big day and take in all of the royal excitement. Need suggestions? Here are a few of the best packages thrown together in honor of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. Oh, and don’t wait – packages are already selling out.

British Airways’ Royal Wedding Weekend

British Airways is leading the royal wedding pack with several flight and hotel options for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the pomp and circumstance. Prices start at $820 for trips between April 27 and May 1, and hotel options range from the 2-star Pembury in London’s Finsbury Park to the 5-Star Grange Holborn on the West End.
Hilton London Tower Bridge

Starting at $1600 plus tax, the Hilton London Tower Bridge’s royal wedding package includes a three-night stay for two, a bottle of Champagne, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a post-nuptial dinner with wine. The catch? You have to call the hotel directly at 011-44-20-002-300 to get in on the deal.

Superbreak Royal Wedding 2011 Breaks

This one works best if you’ll already be in the U.K. before the festivities start. The packages start around $475 and include two or three nights in a London-area hotel, return-rail travel from any East Coast rail station, a flight on the London Eye, 2 for 1 meals with the Hi-Life dining card and Smartsave vouchers.

London Hilton Park Lane

Already have your room booked and looking for somewhere to dine before the wedding hoopla starts? Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows is offering a $72 three-course lunch from April 26 to 29 complete with beautiful views of Buckingham Palace.

Podium restaurant at the London Hilton Park Lane is offering a blue-themed tea in honor of the blue sapphire engagement ring that Prince William gave Middleton. For $53, you’ll get your fill of blueberry muffins, blue macaroons and blue jam. Available April 26 to May 1.

[Photo: Getty Images]

Daily Pampering: Trump International Hotel New York offers royal wedding package

by McLean Robbins on

Dying to attend the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton? Sorry, you probably can’t. But you can have the next best thing – a reservation at Trump International New York‘s private showing of the royal weding on oversized monitors while being served a special breakfast at Jean Georges the morning of Friday, April 29.

Since the royal wedding begins early (the event begins at 5 AM), you’ll also enjoy an overnight stay in a newly renovated guest room designed by Ivanka Trump. Nosh on a special tasting menu fit for a prince or princess with options like scrambled eggs with caviar, mini-French toast, and pains au chocolat. Naturally, a toast will be served as well – sparkling mimosas.

The breakfast will conclude by 9 a.m., at which time you can choose to hit the town or return to your rooms for a nap … and don’t worry about oversleeping. A 4 PM late checkout is guaranteed.

As a memento of the occasion, guests will also receive a piece of official Royal Wedding china commissioned by The Royal Collection.

How much will it cost you? Significantly less than a royal wedding. The package is $1,425 per couple and includes executive Park View suite accommodations.

Get more luxury travel ideas from daily pampering.

Make like Will and Kate: Alternate suggestions for romantic English wedding venues

by McLean Robbins on

Okay, okay – so your dreams of getting marred a la Prince William and Kate Middleton are probably never going to come true – after all, Westminster Abbey is a bit out of reach for the average Joe and Jane. But you can, if you wish, steal their date (April 29, 2011), her ring (find copies here) and even experience your own romantic English wedding in one of several “royalty-approved” locations.

Bride On Board
A serving RAF officer, Prince William could have married immersed in military heritage. Handily located in the heart of London, HMS Belfast can accommodate 350 guests with plenty of space on the quarterdeck for speeches and dancing and splendid views of Tower Bridge and the London skyline.

A Greener Groom
A choice certain to please the father of the groom, His Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales, the Eden Project offers eco-friendly weddings with food sourced from local suppliers. Happy couples can choose from a ceremony among the lush foliage at the very top of the Rainforest Biome or in the gallery overlooking the grounds; in the evening the Mediterranean Biome can be lit with low lights that create the illusion of thousands of stars across the biome canopy.
Brighton Bling
Nothing makes the monarchy look better than being reminded of the follies of their predecessor – and there are few grander follies than the Brighton Pavilion, built for the extravagant George IV. Weddings take place in the Red Drawing Room, while photos can be taken outside in the beautiful Regency gardens.

Back to Basics
A Royal Couple getting married in a pub? Unlikely we know (although it was good enough for Kate Winslet) but for those choosing to keep it simple, The Fleece Inn – a 15th century inn in the Cotswolds is the perfect choice. The ceremony takes place in a cosy 16th century thatched barn, with the centuries-old joys of a traditional English pub for the reception.

A Holy Enjoyable Day
The joy of seeing the paparazzi wading around as the tide comes in would no doubt have added to the general air of bliss if the royal wedding were to take place at Holy Island in Northumberland. The fairytale castle of Lindisfarne would make a dream backdrop for any ceremony, steeped in history and once owned by Sir Edward Lutyens.

A Castle of Course
For sheer grandeur, a wedding located at Highclere Castle in Kent offers the options of either a marquee in the grounds, or a ceremony inside the house – with a spectacularly dramatic staircase for the bride to sweep down.

In Vino Veritas
A celebratory glass or two is integral to a successful wedding – so what better place to hold the ceremony than at a vineyard? Denbies Vineyard, in the heart of the beautiful Surrey hills, can arrange weddings surrounded by 265 acres of vines, with pre-reception drinks held in the atmospheric candlelit cellars.

A Coastal Celebration
Steeped in royal history, Pendennis Castle was built in the 1540’s on the orders of Henry VIII, and has protected the Cornish coast from invasion for five centuries. The circular fort is a spectacular wedding location, set high on a headland with panoramic views across the sea and several different room options, holding up to 160 people.

A Light Touch
Dungeness? No we’re not crazy. Climbing a spiral staircase to a circular room with panoramic views out to sea is surely romantic enough for even the royal couple. Dungeness Lighthouse in Kent is an unusual venue for a truly unique wedding, with space for thirty people at bridge level and just ten in the Gallery.

Green-Fingered Groom
What could be more perfect for an English wedding than a flower-filled garden – and gardens don’t come much more idyllic than the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship Wisley in Surrey. Wedding guests can enjoy a private tour of the garden and an evening reception in the Conservatory.

What do you think about these English wedding location suggestions? Do you have another favorite? Leave it in the comments, below.

[Image via Flickr user Peter Rivera]