It seems that the world has been gripped by royal wedding fever. I’m not sure whether it is more to do with the fact that the majority of us have been granted an impromptu extra bank holiday though, but hey ho, I’ll take it with a gracious smile and I’ll definitely be watching at least some of the wedding on Friday.
Most of the available wedding information is being guessed at, as the whole event is shrouded in secrecy. Usually we at least know the name of the dress designer by now, but even that has been kept a closely guarded secret, with a rumour that in fact, 3 designers have been commissioned to create wedding dresses in case of any spillages to the press!
The royal wedding bouquet will however continue one tradition, which dictates that a royal bouquet should contain a sprig of Myrtle from the bush grown from the original Myrtle in Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet. The Myrtle symbolises a long and happy marriage.
All royal bouquets contain fragranced blooms designed to evoke lasting memories of the occasion.
Kate (or Catherine as we will now have to get used to referring to her) will not be following the tradition of throwing her bouquet back into the crowd of waiting ladies, ready to find out who will be getting married next, but will send her bouquet back to Westminster Abbey to be placed on the black marble resting place of the unknown soldier as royal brides have done in previous years.
There has also been a lot of speculation with regards to the fragrance that Kate will wear on her special day. The big money must be on Houbigant, founded in Paris in 1775, and who have a long historical royal link. (it is rumoured that Marie Antoinette was recognised and captured because the Houbigant perfume she wore was recognised as a royal fragrance – no-one else could afford to use it).
Diana, Princess of Wales wore Houbigant Quelque Fleurs on her wedding day, and it may be the choice for Kate, as Prince William has made it clear that he would like to think his mother will be there with them in spirit. It is a floral classic created with a plethora of jasmine, rose, tuberose, carnation and ylang, gently warmed by precious sandalwood, powdery orris and musks, all combining to give a fresh, warm powdery effect.
And finally, here are some facts and figures about the upcoming nuptuals…
At 29 Kate will become the oldest royal bride to walk down the aisle – most royal brides are in their teens when they marry.
If William becomes King, then Kate will be the 6th Queen Catherine of England – until then, she will be known as HRH Princess William of Wales, unless they are given a Dukedom……
Westminster Abbey is over 700 years old and holds 2,200 people. It has been the site of Coronations since William I’s in 1066. Many royal weddings have taken place here, including our current Queen Elizabeth II’s to Prince Philip in 1947.
After the formal ceremony a lucky 600 chosen guests will attend a wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace including Champagne, canapes and speciality hors d’oeuvres. Desserts will include petit fours, mini eclairs and assorted mousse. A multi-tiered wedding cake will take centre stage, and will most likely be adorned with sugar flowers and perhaps William’s coat of arms.
As well as over 40 foreign royals, including the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the emperor of Japan, and the kings of Malaysia, Tonga and Thailand, Prince William has invited some guests who have affected him personally in one way or another, including members of the homeless community and soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.
My last little nugget of information comes from one of our local Bolton businesses, Greenhalghs Craft Bakery, who after hearing that the happy couple were touring the North West, decided to create sugar crafted models of Wills and Kate in order for them to embark on a mini tour of the local Greenhalghs shops, ending up back in Bolton’s Deansgate store in time for the wedding on Friday.
So, whatever you have planned on Friday, whether you want to watch the wedding or just chill in the garden, I hope you all have a lovely long Bank Holiday weekend.