The royal wedding is a little over a month away, and the British news is heating up with items about the official music, Kate's wedding day hairstyle, her luxury ride to the church and what a boon the wedding is for anyone from memorabilia entrepreneurs to those with even the most tenuous royal connections. Just in case you don't have a chance to read it all, CTV.ca will be posting a royal recap every week up until the big day.
Royal music
The royal wedding music will be a variety of formal choral music, church organ played by a British pop star, and a special song gifted to the couple is helping raise funds for cancer research.
The BBC report that the formal music will be performed by The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra, The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and The State Trumpeters of The Household Cavalry.
Brit Award winner James Blunt will be playing the church organ while Clair Jones, the Prince of Wales' official harpist, will play for guests at the Queen's Buckingham Palace reception.
As a special gift to the couple, Kate Middleton's former piano teacher composed "A Song for Kate (and William)". Daniel Nicholls, who hails from the Middletons' hometown of Bucklebury, wrote and recorded the song using the poems "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and "O Lyric Love," by Robert Browning. The song will be performed and filmed on the royal wedding day, by his choir Enharmonic. It was premiered recently at a benefit to aid a local cancer hospital.
The Telegraph reports that the Queen's composer since 2004, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, had been on standby to compose a piece of music for the wedding but, having been overlooked, he's now claiming he'll boycott the event entirely.
Hair wars
According to The Telegraph, Kate Middleton's stylist, Richard Ward, is set to arrange an up-do to hold her tiara in place, but his colleague James Brown, has another idea. Brown, Kate Moss' stylist, feels she's giving into pressure by wearing her hair up, when it looks better flowing. Quoted recently at a GQ Style party he said, "She has gorgeous hair and I just hope she brings her own personality to it."
There's an app for that
Want to follow the royal wedding on your smart phone? Apps are starting to pop up on the market for anything from royal protocol guides to the wedding route and seating arrangements at Westminster Abbey. Add to that the official royal wedding website, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr accounts and there's no reason to be out of the loop on the wedding of the century.
Kate's signature candy
After Hash Shangadia, the owner of Peaches Spar convenience store in Bucklebury, told the British media last week about Kate's penchant for Haribo candy, they've created a line in her name. Hearts and Rings and Other Nice Things will be sold in pink bags, containing gummy candies in the shape of rings, heart throbs, cupcakes, lips and gifts. Peaches Spar will be the candy's debut store, but the sweets will also be available throughout England.
Luxe ride
Much has been made of Kate's decision to ride to Westminster Abbey by car rather than carriage, since it's a break from royal protocol and therefore a sign of the times and the future princess's independence.
Officials said Tuesday that Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey in a claret and black 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI that was damaged in December when Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were attacked by student protesters.
Previously, the Birmingham Post reported that the Jaguar's flagship XJ saloon is the choice to carry VIP guests to the wedding. Jaguar's last media boost was when former PM Gordon Brown resigned and David Cameron took over. Both were seen travelling to and from Buckingham palace in the extravagant car.
Cashing in on nuptials
It seems everyone is cashing in on the royal wedding with manufacturers and retailers of royal paraphernalia creating anything from tea bags, towel, and mugs to plates, candies and playing cards. Now, The Mirror is reporting that Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother is hosting an £11,300 "Royal Affair" package, to begin three days before the wedding, including a tour of Chartwell, Winston Churchill's home in Kent, drinks at Spencer House in London, dinner at the home of a "member of the royal family." and a lunch at Althorp, the Earl Spencer's home and his sister's burial site. The Mail Online reports that Princess Diana's former lover, James Hewitt is also making hay while the sun shines with a lavish wedding celebration planned at his Polo House in Maribella, Spain.
