Prince William has chosen to marry, Catherine Middleton, in the presence of more than 1,900 guests and 8,000 journalists from all over the world coming to London to attend the royal event. The cost of the “Marriage of the Century” was estimated between 15 and 68 million pounds (about $33 million), mostly paid by the royal family, according to the press in the United Kingdom.
Buckingham sources say that the money spent for one of the most publicized weddings in UK remain confidential. At least for now.
Catherine Middleton’s Wedding with Prince William has a real chance to get among the most expensive wedding in history. The expenses for security, preparations started in November 2010 when the engagement of them was announced, are exceeding 30 million dollars. Over 30 dogs trained to detect bombs from 100 yards away checked the route of the royal procession and 5,000 guards patrolled the crowd in London during the royal wedding, many of them in plainclothes, reports Time Magazine.
Regarding the ceremony, lunch and reception at Buckingham Palace, the cost was supported by Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth, while Kate’s parents have paid around £100,000 for their daughter’s wedding, according to The Sunday Times. Carole and Michael Middleton contributed also to the reception held at the palace. As for Kate’s wedding dress, designed by Alexander McQueen fashion house, it cost over 30,000 pounds.
The British government has instead covered both security costs and cleaning, but tourists who come these days, could bring Great Britain a profit of 50 billion pounds, Bloomberg notes. Moreover, British officials say that the ceremonies will give a truly royal wedding boost to the British economy, citing expectations for increased sales this weekend, and to all British companies that have profited from the grand event and marketed products, souvenirs, food, drinks, gadgets, electronics, toys, and tour packages.
Over one million tourists and 8,000 journalists were present in London to attend William and Kate’s wedding ceremonies. Many visitors have arrived in the British capital for several days and were camped on the streets of London, to be sure they will see the royal procession.
Only 1,900 were on the official list of the Royal House. Many of them were part of a lot of crowned heads of Europe, but world-class artists such as Elton John or Beckham couple or Lady Gaga were invited as well.