Tag Archives: Prince William

RIGHT ROYAL REBUFF AS 83% OF BRITS SHUN ROYAL WEDDING MEMORABILIA

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· 83% of Brits will not be buying Royal Wedding souvenirs to commemorate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s marriage[1]

· Almost a quarter (22%) say that Royal Wedding souvenirs are a waste of money; one in six (16%) view them as ‘beyond tacky’[2]

· One in five Brits (22%) believe commemorative items are good for British business – but just one in ten (12%) say they are a nice memento while only 8% think they are collector’s items[2]

· Over six in ten (62%) claim to have never owned royal souvenirs while just 2% of Brits have theirs proudly out on display[3]

· Of those who will be shelling out, top purchases are: chinaware (49%), commemorative coins (38%) and tea towels (20%)[4]

· Royal wedding souvenir hunters will be spending £23 on average[5]

Eight in ten Brits (83%) won’t be buying Royal Wedding souvenirs[1] according to new research out today from InvisibleHand, the free online shopping tool. Despite expectations that Will and Kate’s wedding would spark a souvenir shopping frenzy, the majority of Brits will be shunning souvenirs with almost a quarter (22%) branding them a waste of money[2].

While previous generations may have enjoyed owning a piece of royal memorabilia and passing it down through the family, modern Brits have very different views. Over one in ten (13%) say that royal souvenirs are a complete rip off while 16% think they are ‘beyond tacky’. Just one in ten (12%) think they make a nice memento of the day, while only 8% say that souvenirs are collector’s items. Incredibly, only 1% think of royal souvenirs as a family heirloom[2].

Over six in ten people (62%) claim to have never owned royal souvenirs – 7% claim to have got rid of the souvenirs they did own. And while one in ten people (13%) hide their royal souvenirs away in the loft, just 2% have them proudly out on display[3].

Despite this lack of appetite, almost a quarter of Brits (21%) agree that Royal Wedding souvenirs are good for British business[3]. And maybe they are right as those people who will be buying commemorative items will be spending £23 on average[5]. The top items on royal souvenir hunters’ shopping lists are: chinaware such as plates and mugs (49%), commemorative coins (38%) and tea towels (20%). More niche items, such as Will and Kate face masks, which have provided a lot of laughs on social media, will only be snapped up by 2%[4].

Most popular Royal Wedding memorabilia[4]

Percentage who have/will buy[4]

1. Chinaware

49%

2. Commemorative coins

38%

3. Tea towels

20%

4. Flags / bunting

14%

5. Books / annuals

12%

6. Teddies / cuddly toys

6%

7. T-shirts

4%

8. Clocks

3%

9. William and Kate masks

2%

Source: InvisibleHand

Robin Landy, founder of InvisibleHand, says: “Despite the fact that eight in ten Brits say they won’t be snapping up royal wedding souvenirs, I suspect that in reality many more will get caught up in the occasion and will end up buying something. We all like to think we’re too cool for school, but look in people’s lofts and attics and you may find more royal memorabilia lurking than most of us would like to admit.

“Whether you are a Royal Family fanatic or someone who plans to view the event from the sidelines, if you are going to buy memorabilia it’s essential to get value for money. Shopping around online will enable you to get the best deal for your hard earned cash plus make it easier to hunt down the more quirky items that will raise a smile.”

InvisibleHand is free to download in less than a minute via the website, www.getinvisiblehand.com.

CREATE THE PERFECT ROYAL WEDDING CENTREPIECE

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Celebrate the Royal Wedding in style on April 29th

TOP TIPS FOR THE DINING ROOM

1. Royal Britannia is all about traditional British style. Think royal crowns, British bulldogs and timeless tweed for a look that says country manor chic.

2. For a truly British celebration, think home-grown. UK-manufactured tableware and a traditional, home-grown menu will complete the quintessentially British experience.

3. Think about seating your guests. If you need to bring in extra chairs, a few union jack scatter cushions will hide any mismatched furniture.

4. Vintage influences are a big trend at the moment and work extremely well alongside the Royal Britannia theme – don’t be afraid to experiment. For instance, tiered cake stands look fantastic as a table centrepiece.

TOP TIPS FOR THE STREET PARTY

1. For a magical outdoor setting, go overboard with the fairy lights and homemade decorations. Get the children involved and make your own bunting and paper chains the night before, and string them up at the last minute for the wow-factor.

2. Plastic tableware needn’t be unglamorous. Acrylic glasses look elegant but will not break if dropped outdoors, meaning no risk of shattered glass. Alternatively, plastic champagne flutes are the ideal disposable option for an outdoor celebration.

3. Little touches can make a huge difference – patterned napkins and tablecloths are a cheap and easy way to inject character and interest.

GetJar Gets the Royal Treatment with The Royal Wedding App from ITN Productions

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World’s largest open app store to exclusively distribute The Royal Wedding app ahead of release into the Android market place

As the world waits in anticipation for the Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton, ITN Productions has launched its Royal Wedding video app exclusively on GetJar, the world’s largest open app store. Visitors to GetJar can download the app a week in advance of its release into the Android Market Place.

Royal family enthusiasts can now follow William and Kate’s wedding preparations every step of the way by downloading the Royal Wedding app for Android and iPhone – completely free on GetJar for the next seven days, available at: http://www.getjar.com/mobile/71394/itn-royal-wedding-for-apple-ipad/?f=1

The app, developed to support ITN’s Royal Wedding Channel on YouTube, delivers up to date news and entertaining video content on all things royal in the run up to the big day on April 29th. With hours of video content packed into the app and more being added each day, the app provides a quick and entertaining way to keep up to date with the nation’s favourite couple.

Miguel Tatay, Head of Mobile at ITN Productions, said: “We wanted to reach the largest possible audience and make the app open and available to everyone. As the world’s largest open app store, GetJar was the obvious choice to launch and distribute The Royal Wedding app.”

Patrick Mork, CMO of GetJar commented: “We’re thrilled to be able to offer The Royal Wedding app exclusively on GetJar. The Royal wedding is the talk of the town and downloading this app will allow everyone to feel part of it. We expect this is going to be extremely popular and are delighted to be able to make this app free to consumers on GetJar”.

Royal Bouquet Predictions from Celebrity Florist Nick Priestly

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Kate Middleton will be guided by royal traditions in most areas of her wedding but she will want her flowers to say something personal about herself and her relationship with William but what will they say?

 

“Kate’s relationship with her florist will not be unlike the one she has with her dressmaker” says celebrity florist, Nick Priestly. “They will obviously discuss her preferences, but will also look for flowers that symbolise something of her life. Increasingly brides don’t make decisions purely on colour schemes but want their choice of flowers to mean something personal to them.”

 

Apparently Royal brides are ahead of the times in this respect as they have been saying something with their choice of flowers for generations. All since Queen Victoria have had trailing style bouquets with combinations of flowers often representing key references in their lives.

 

Nick says “Thoughout history, royal brides appear to have a duty to follow tradition, however it is clear that each had their own preferences considered when choosing their wedding bouquet. HM The Queen chose mainly whole sprays of orchids signifying her role as leader of the Commonwealth, while Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, included white heather symbolising her native Scotland.

 

Nick’ Predictions

 

Nick, who has designed flowers for many stars including: Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Keira Knightley, believes that Kate’s flowers will reflect her elegant, understated style. “It is unlikely that Kate will choose anything too far from the royal norm. As a contemporary princess she would suit a spring themed, hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus and lily of the valley but will she and her florist be brave enough to make such a floral statement on the day?

 

“An alternative twist would to be to add a touch of sapphire blue colour to match her stunning engagement ring in the form of muscari, hyacinths or delphihiums. This would of course draw attention to the late Princess Diana’s ring and evoke her memory.”

“My prediction is that Kate will have a traditional shaped bouquet of trailing wired flowers to include calla lilies (her favourite flower), white daffodils to signify the fact William is one of the Princes of Wales and Fair Trade Kenyan roses to signify William’s charity work in Africa and the place of their engagement. Her bouquet is also likely to include royal staples such as jasmine, lily of the valley and a sprig of myrtle which has been included in all royal bouquets since Queen Alexandra’s back in 1863.”

 

“The other key factor to look out for will be the size of the bouquet. Personally, I think it would be good if the bouquet is relatively petite and elegant compared to some royal bouquets in the past, which would reflect Kate’s understated stle. I also think it’s unlikely that in times of a recession, Kate’s bouquet will be too ostentatious.  However it is a royal wedding and her flowers are sure to make a statement. “

 

Getting the Royal Look:

 

Whatever Kate chooses, her floral preferences will filter down to the wedding flowers of “commoners” over the coming months and years.

 

“Kate’s flowers will be as hotly coveted by future brides as much as the style of her wedding dress. Brides will be looking to their florists to get the royal feel without the royal budget.

 

The Royal Wedding flowers are likely to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some “royal” favourites, such as lily of the valley, are already expensive blooms, however we can expect demand for Kate’s choice of flowers to soar at the Dutch auction houses in the coming months.”

 

“In the same way that royal brides do, brides will continue to choose flowers which have significant meaning in their lives.  A Scottish bride marrying an English groom will often choose a combination of roses and thistles, a couple who met in Australian will include elements of Australian flora such as eucalyptus into their wedding flowers, and a couple whose loved one has passed away may use flower symbolism to include them in their special day, for example including their loved one’s favourite flower in their bridal bouquet.

 

Nick’s experience:

 

Nick Priestly has been a wedding florist since 2003, managing a business that looks after over 200 weddings a year. From classic white weddings using peonies and roses to dreamlike winter wonderlands using iced flowers and exotic weddings using hundreds of stems of vibrant pink phalenopis orchids, Nick know that every bride has her own preferences and style.

 

“A good florist’s role is to work within any given budget and translate a bride’s ideas and wishes into beautiful wedding flowers. Brides have become much more knowledgeable about flowers in the past few years and often know exactly what they want and there are many brides who follow the tastes of brides in the public eye.

 

Over the years, brides have asked me to recreate the bridal bouquets of celebrities such as Hollywood actress Eva Longoria and style icon Colleen Rooney as well as Sarah Jessica Parker’s ficticious character Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. I look forward to recreating Kate Middleton’s bouquet in the months and years to come.”

Kate Middleton Gets Her Own Doll.

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A host of leading British designers have come together to fly the flag for British fashion with the creation of an exclusive and highly collectible toy, the Princess Catherine Doll.

Launching in Hamleys on Thursday April 7, 2011, from 4pm to 7pm, the Limited Edition Princess Catherine Engagement Doll uniquely celebrates Champions of British Style™ – and showcases the very best of authentic British fashion and design.

Fashioned to resemble Catherine “Kate”  Middleton, right down to the Eaton clutch bag, fascinator and shoes, the Princess Catherine Doll oozes British style and highlights a nation’s  intrinsic attention to detail.

And upholding a true British custom, a donation from sales of the toy will go to the charity, Help for heroes. For every Princess Catherine Doll sold, Champions of British Style™ will donate £1 to Help for Heroes.

Of course, some might say that the Princess Catherine Doll is a touch eccentric or even kitsch, but such quirkiness are also a great British tradition!

With only 10,000 dolls being produced, it’s predicted that the Princess Catherine Engagement Doll will be a must-buy for Royal Wedding collectors.

There is also little doubt that children will clamour for a toy doll that can be dressed up to look like a real-life princess.

The Princess Catherine Engagement Doll, which has won the respect of Hamleys, will be sold in leading toy stores after the launch on Thursday April 7, 2011, as well as online at www.arklu.com

Kate Middleton herself will be invited to the launch but it’s expected that she will be a little too busy with her wedding plans!

Lucie Follett, a spokesperson for Champions of British Style™, said: “Since being catapulted into the limelight and following the announcement of her engagement to Prince William, Kate’s every outfit have come under scrutiny in the fashion world.

“The catwalks this season show a feminine and elegant trend that is very much in keeping with that of Kate Middleton.

“Some commentators think we are seeing the beginnings of “The Kate Effect”, which could prove a huge bonus in promoting the best of British fashion and style to a global market.”

She added: “We have been thrilled by the enthusiasm and support of our designers and each in their own way has embodied the ethos of great British style in the creation of the Princess Catherine Doll.

“Now we also have the full support of Hamleys, which will offer the perfect showcase for the launch of the highly attractive collectors’ item and toy.”

Princess Catherine Doll: Attention to detail and a truly luxurious British style

Seven British fashion and design leaders have dressed and accessorised the Princess Catherine Doll, which will retail at £34.95, and sell at Hamleys, Harrods, The Entertainer, Amazon, Play.com and all major toy stores as well as online at www.arklu.com

For every Princess Catherine Doll sold, Champions of British Style™ will donate £1 to Help for Heroes.

Designers Pussy Willow, of London, have created The Catherine Dress in keeping with their design philosophy of simple and elegant cuts that are sculpted to the body.

The blue, dress has a cinched waist, ruched pleating at the shoulders, and a deep “V” at the front and back. The dress also boasts a bespoke Pussy Willow couture label in vivid pink.

The Bucklebury Fascinator is exclusively designed by award-winning Katherine Elizabeth Millinery and is named after the Berkshire village and home of Catherine “Kate” Middleton. With its bright fuchsia colour and intricate lattice-work effect, it reflects Kate’s well-documented passion for wearing fascinators at Society events.

The dazzling and fabulously blingy Princess Catherine Doll ring pays homage to Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was originally Princess Diana’s. The doll’s Io Ring boasts a purple Amethyst central stone and is made from sterling silver, plated with rose gold and set amongst 24 brilliant-cut diamante cubic zirconias. It has been created by award-winning British jewellery designer Babette Wasserman.

Catherine Middleton’s love of the Eaton Clutch Bag is clear and she has been spotted many times with this delightfully artisan accessory, which is produced by the emerging new British luxury goods brand Aspinal of London. The Eaton Clutch Bag is an exact replica and with its distinctive gold mock snake leather effect, curvy, horseshoe clasp and gold chain adds to the Princess Catherine Doll’s authentic styling.

The intricate detailing, including the buckle, pale gold colour and glitter effect – on the Princess Catherine Doll high-heeled slingback shoes is evocative of leading British shoe designer Beatrix Ong’s signature style. Beatrix Ong shoes are recognised worldwide for being innovative yet elegant, versatile yet classic and always very wearable. The doll’s shoes boast a miniature Beatrix Ong label on the insole.

Louise Constad is the make-up artist of choice for many of the world’s most beautiful women and high-profile celebrities, so who better to add the finishing touches to the beautiful Princess Catherine Doll?

It was in Scotland that Prince William met his Princess. In recognition of this occasion, the inner print on the Princess Catherine Doll box is of Harris Tweed, a luxury Scottish cloth that boasts of a rich tradition of craftsmanship and has long been loved by royalty. Indeed, Kate Middleton has often been seen wearing Harris Tweed jackets, so it’s clearly a favourite of hers too.

Kate Middleton; How To Catch Your Own Prince. Jerramy Fine Tells All.

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1) How excited are you about the Royal Wedding.

Are you kidding? I live for this stuff. To me, royal nuptials are this heady concoction of ancient tradition, modern-day romance and fairy tale magic. (Not to mention that I have been fascinated by England’s royal family since I was a toddler and for many years, my greatest wish was to marry one of the Queen’s grandsons!)


2) What do you think about Kate Middleton?
I think Kate’s fashion sense is pitch-perfect. She always looks chic yet conservative and her love of classic staples like tailored suits, tweed jackets and suede boots, makes it clear that the girl was born to be a Windsor. I wish she weren’t so heavy handed with her eye-liner, but she is leading the way when it comes to teaching England the value of a good American-style blow-dry.

4) Why did you want to be a princess?

I was born with this incessant princess desire. I’m not sure why or how. (I mean, my parents are hippies and I wasn’t allowed television!) I guess it started with Disney Princesses and then when I saw Diana’s wedding – that was it. My career goal was solved at a very early age. Princesshood or bust!

One of the major things that always attracted me to princesshood was the amazing sacrifice these rare women made for their countries. The idea of living a life of duty – for the sake of your subjects, rather than yourself – still brings tears to my eyes. One of things I loved about Princess Diana more than anything else – more than her stunning beauty and more than her royal title – was that she genuinely understood the unique and far-reaching power of being a Princess. Wherever she went, for better or for worse, Diana knew the press would follow – yet she had the principles and the courage to use this incredible power to draw the world’s attention away from herself and onto those that needed it most.

Needless to say, I also wanted Princess Diana’s wardrobe, palaces and parties (what little girl wouldn’t?), but I also yearned for that distinctively royal strength: to be able to think beyond yourself any situation.

5) Any tips for women who want to get into the Royal Circle?
Always be polite, but getting your foot in the royal door is not easy so be prepared to punch your way in! Once you’re there, be sure to dress appropriately, to smile demurely and to say as a little as possible. (Check out the the ball scene in My Fair Lady for more details.)


6) You obviously love Royalty. Why do you think the Royal family are still relevant?
When you hail from a country where the only palace is Cinderella’s Castle, it’s natural to be enthralled by the UK’s living, breathing royal family. For many Brits, the royals are just a part of everyday English life, but to me the royal family and all it represents is a constant source of enchantment.

Every little girl dreams of meeting prince charming, becoming a princess and living happily ever after – and by agreeing to marry William, Kate Middleton has become a conduit for the world to vicariously live out these dreams. I think the royals fulfil a very real need in our global psyche that cannot be fulfilled by politicians or Hollywood stars.


7) How did you come about writing your book?
When I met my childhood crush at the age of 25, I knew I had a story tell! I’ve always enjoyed writing and I knew that my quest to be a princess was a theme most girls could relate to. There’s lots of negativity and skepticism in the world these days – so most of all, I wanted my book to convey the importance of listening to your heart, holding tight to your childhood dream and believing in the impossible – no matter what those grumpy cynics out in the real world may tell you!


8) Who are your favourite writers?
Paul Coelho (The Alchemist), Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love), and Garth Stein (Art of Racing in the Rain) – for soul-touching narratives. Nancy Mitford, Evelyn Waugh, Julian Fellowes and Oscar Wilde for pure British wit and aristocratic indulgence.


9) How should women dress and act to fit into aristocratic circles?
Ignore fashion trends and stick with the classics. (Skinny jeans belong on Kate Moss not on Kate Middleton.) Instead, learn to love cashmere and tweed. Buy a copy of Debrett’s and study your etiquette. Table manners can make or break your social standing, so memorize the proper way to eat peas and the correct direction to pass the port.


10) What’s next for you?

I’m working on a book entitled “In Defence of the Princess” – exploring the princess archetype that so many girls cling to and the redeeming qualities/life lessons that can be gleaned from fictional and modern-day princesses.

 

For more information go to Jerramy’s website and buy here book here.

Over half of women go Dutch on a first date, but men still want to pay

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Women will need to be financially prepared to pay their half as they break from first date tradition

New research from online bank first direct has found sharply differing financial attitudes to first dates between the sexes. While women have a progressive attitude to dating expecting to split the bill on a first date, men still like to play the hunter gatherer role and pick up the bill. With women breaking from tradition and expecting to pay at least some of the bill, they especially will have to be financially prepared for the cost of dating like never before.

Independent Women

The survey of 1,924 UK adults found that 58% of women expect to split the bill on a first date, double the proportion of men (29%). Additionally, 14% of women think it should be whoever suggested the date. Just a quarter of women said that they thought men should pay for a first date, while 3% said they should foot the bill, suggesting that women feel they shouldn’t be beholden to men, but that men should also pay their way.

Hunter Gatherer

Men on the other hand believe that chivalry isn’t dead, with 55% expecting to pay the full bill on a first date, and men spending an average of £65 on a first date compared to women who spend £50. Shouldering not just the financial burden but also the organisational responsibility, more than nine in ten males (94%) would organise the first date, compared with just 65% of women.

The average amount that people expect to pay on a first date is £56 and highlighting the financial considerations behind dating, 38% percent of people would use discount vouchers on a first date, a figure slightly higher for men (41%) than women (36%).

Richard Brown, Senior Savings Product Manager at first direct commented:

“As we approach the wedding season, the couple on everyone’s lips is Kate Middleton and Prince William. It would be fascinating to know if they split the bill or if William paid and pulled out a discount voucher on their first date. If he did, he is far from alone – dating can be an expensive business and if you do not have the disposable income of a future royal, it is important to make sure you have enough money saved to find The One.”

LONDONERS CASH IN ON THE ROYAL WEDDING

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  • Gumtree sees influx of Londoners renting their rooms and houses over the wedding weekend

With the sound of Royal Wedding bells almost in the air, Londoners living near the royal procession route can also hear the sound of cash jingling in their pockets.  Gumtree.com has seen an influx of ads from people renting out their London rooms or homes over the Royal Wedding period – often charging as much as £2,000 for the whole week.

Homes and rooms on or near the royal procession route, or within walking distance from Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace, are charging a hefty premium – with many ads on the online local notice board detailing the short walk that renters can take to catch a glimpse of the wedding action.

Rental prices per week range from £1,000 to £2,500 to rent the full property.  Others who are staying in London have advertised to sublet a single spare bedroom, with the note: “Willing to negotiate a price for the whole property (2 double bedrooms) for the entire weekend”.

Adverts currently on the site include:

·                  £850pw, Luxury 2 bed flat walking distance Royal Wedding Westminster Abbey London http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/73742252.html

Top Tips for subletting your home for the Royal Wedding weekend

  • Be honest when describing your home, include photos on the ad so that potential renters know exactly what to expect
  • Include details on how to get to the key sights over the wedding weekend, include tube stops, bus routes or approximate walking times
  • Remember to mention the facilities and mod-cons in your property – holidaymakers will be looking for a home-away-from-home rather than a hotel, so remember to mention your HD TV/cable package, blue ray player, dishwasher, state of the art cooking facilities, etc. in your ad – and why not leave out your DVD collection for the option of a quiet night in?
  • Get to know your renters by email or telephone before you commit and meet them beforehand if you can – this will help build trust and peace of mind while you’re away, and also help make local recommendations
  • Create a rule book for your renters that are clear and easy to understand e.g. no smoking indoors, or no pets allowed, don’t use the washing machine after 10pm or the neighbours will complain, etc.
  • Compile a folder with everything your renters might need: instructions on how to use the household appliances, restaurant recommendations, locations of nearby shops and pubs, telephone numbers for local services
  • Lock away any valuables or high-value items
  • Inform your friends and neighbours of your house rental plans

Sam Taylor from Gumtree.com said:  “Despite the building excitement about the Royal Wedding, Londoners have begun to realise that if they rent out their property over the wedding weekend, it can fund a holiday to more exotic climates.

Luxury hotels are charging in the region of £3,000 – £5,000 for the long weekend – so it’s easy to see why self-catering options are proving popular.

Those lucky enough to live in central London are sitting on very easy money so should consider cashing-in on their postcodes for a few days if they are planning on going away – or even renting out a spare bedroom if they are staying in the city for the celebrations.”

 

Gumtree.com anticipates a similar trend to take place this summer in south-west London for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2011, and the London Olympics 2012.