Next year's royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton couldn't have come at a better time - as it will give Britain's beleagured, recession-hit economy a £1 billion boost and, at the same time, show the world why the British monarchy is a real asset to the country.
Income from tourism will soar by £750million as royal fans worldwide flock here hoping for a glimpse of the happy couple - and the pomp and pageantry of which Britain is good at - at next year's wedding.
Americans and Canadians are expected to flock to next year's service. Three million visit Britain each year - but this figure is set to snowball.
Not only that, but the royal wedding will give the country a huge feelgood factor in dark times, just as the royal weddings of 1981 and 1947 did and the Queen's coronation of 1953.
The British people will also play their part by buying the many wedding souvenirs that will be available in shops and online, such as mugs, T-shirts and bumper stickers, and the sales of beer, wine and champagne will soar as people host street parties or just watch the wedding on TV whilst having a few drinks.
And the wedding will not cost the taxpayer much - the Royal Family will pay for it. Prince Charles will fork out millions and the Queen will also help will the costs. But the taxpayer will pay for the security.
Both William and Kate - who will probably be called by her real name of Catherine from now on - understand that millions of Brits are struggling for money in these hard-pressed times, and have said that they will have an "austere ceremony." This will remind those who can remember of the wedding of William's grandparents the Queen (who was then still a princess) and Prince Philip back in 1947. The Queen, who endured rationing like her people did, had to use ration coupons to pay for the material to make her wedding dress.
Prince William, 28, proposed to Kate, 28, last month whilst they were on safari in Kenya, 10,500 feet up Mount Kenya. William loves Africa and thought it would be romantic to propose to Kate - who will be the country's sixth Queen Catherine - there.
Kate's engagement ring is the very same one that Princess Diana had as her engagement ring back in 1981. William thought that as both the ring and Kate are very special to him it would be ideal to unite the two. Since Diana's death in 1997, the ring has been locked in a safe with only William and brother Harry given access.
Friday 8th July is the bookies' favourite date for the wedding to be held on.
The wedding day will be a national holiday and it is thought at least 2 billion people worldwide will watch the wedding between the future King William V and Queen Catherine on television.
And apart from the huge boost the wedding will give to the British economy, it will also give a huge boost to brand Britain.
Wills and Kate:For kerching and country
Money magnets ... Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at engagement announcement at St James's Palace on Tuesday night
By JAMES CLENCH, Royal Reporter
and STEVE HAWKES, Business Editor
The Sun
Thursday 18th November 2010
and STEVE HAWKES, Business Editor
The Sun
Thursday 18th November 2010
PRINCE William's marriage to Kate Middleton will give a £1BILLION boost to Britain's hard-pressed economy, it was revealed yesterday.
Income from tourism will soar by £750million as royal fans worldwide flock here hoping for a glimpse of the happy couple, who are keen to wed in the spring.
But Brits will do their bit, too, by snapping up tons of souvenirs and throwing celebration parties, triggering huge sales of champagne, wine and beer.
The £1billion figure came as Prince Charles was reportedly set to fork out millions for his eldest son's wedding.
The Queen was also said to be ready to help with the cost of the ceremony and reception.
And sources at St James's Palace said the couple will have an "austere ceremony".
The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, with Prince Charles to fork out millions
Wills and Kate, who announced their engagement on Tuesday, are aware of the benefits to the economy - and the feel-good factor the marriage will generate.
A source close to the couple said yesterday: "They are aware of how tough times are for people right now and will be thrilled if the tourism and retail industries get a boost."
The source added that William and Kate, both 28, are keen for Britons to share their joy on their big day.
Americans and Canadians are expected to flock to next year's service. Three million visit Britain each year - but this figure is set to snowball.
A spectacular increase in tourists from the booming economies of China, India, Brazil and Russia is also likely.
Memory: Diana's ring has a fond meaning for William
A tourism expert said: "Whole new markets - valuable markets like China and India - have opened up since Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married in 1981. People in these countries will be able to watch this wedding and are bound to be swept up in the pomp and ceremony of it all.
"We could be looking at anywhere between a £500million and £750million boost from tourism."
Paul Eastham, of Visit Britain, the website of the British Tourist Authority, estimated the wedding will be watched on TV by hundreds of millions worldwide - triggering a tidal wave of interest in all things UK.
Retail expert Neil Saunders, of researchers Verdict, said sales of food and booze could top £360million, while souvenir merchandising is set to rake in another £26million.
Impact
He added: "Many people will still be keen to buy some form of keepsake or memento."
Wills and Kate's chum Tom Bradby, the ITV political editor who conducted their first joint telly interview, said the ceremony's cost would be minute compared to the "impact on Brand Britain".
It is believed Charles will fund much of the wedding bill by using his wealth from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, estimated to be worth £1billion.
But taxpayers will have to foot a huge security bill.
Charles and Camilla's "modest" register office wedding in 2005 cost £5million. While Charles and Diana's ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in 1981 cost £4million (£11 million at today's prices).
Next year's event will dwarf these figures, with some estimates suggesting £40million.
It was last night reported that Kate's parents, Michael and Carole, will offer to pay for their daughter's dress or the couple's honeymoon, which may take place in New Zealand, where William was given a warm welcome when he visited in January.
Wills and Kate were yesterday tied up in meetings with advisers to work out initial details of the wedding.
Kate got her first taste of being a "Royal" as a ring of steel was thrown around her by security services.
Souvenirs ... plates will be sold to mark rare occasion
CATERS
As a future Queen, she will now be guarded around the clock by armed officers from SO14, Scotland Yard's crack Royal Protection Department.
Meanwhile a remote game lodge on the edge of a lake 10,500ft up Mount Kenya emerged as the probable "secret" location where Wills proposed to Kate.
The Rutundu log cabins complex is known as the "Balmoral of Africa" because of its similar landscape and climate to the Queen's Scottish estate.
Tourism ... event will attract huge numbers to capital
Amit Lennon
William discovered it on a private holiday two years ago - and quickly declared it his "favourite place on the planet".
He spent hours fishing in the lake and riding polo ponies from a neighbouring farm.
Parties ... common festivities are expected to erupt as happened for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977
Rex
Lodge insiders told how the cabins were block-booked last month for an "important guest" who insisted on total privacy.
The complex has a helipad - and Royal sources admit Wills and Kate flew by chopper to a lake on Mount Kenya. One lodge source said: "What better place could he find to take his young princess to propose?"
Fiancee's blue frock - for £16
BRIDES-to-be on a budget can snap up a dress like the one Kate Middleton wore to announce her engagement - for just £16.
The royal fiancée chose a £349 frock by her favourite label Issa, but Tesco is launching a copycat version that is 20 TIMES cheaper.
Tesco ... £16 gown
The blue F&F gown will be on sale in stores from Monday. The frock will also be available online.
Tesco buying director Jan Marchant said: "Kate Middleton looked extremely elegant in her choice of outfit and many women will want to find a high street replica of this now iconic dress.
"It's very versatile - a classic design and perfect for many special occasions. We expect it to sell out fast."
Kate also won praise from fashion pundits for choosing a dress which showed off the colour of her sapphire engagement ring.
Asda nabs cup victory
ASDA is the first major retailer to produce a commemorative mug - selling them on its website for £5.
A spokesman said: "Nothing says congratulations like your face on a mug - we hope the happy couple like the pictures we've chosen."
DJ Fearne Cotton Tweeted yesterday: "I NEED this."
All major stores intend to sell mementos. Waitrose said: "Prince William and Kate's wedding planning starts now and so does ours."
Jumping on the band wagon
SALES of "copyKate" rings have soared by 800 per cent since the announcement.
Prince and pauper ... budget ring on shopping channel
QVC/Ruckas
Shopping channel QVC's lookalike is the cheapest at £34, while high street firm H Samuel sold many copies at £179 and £750.
King's ransom ... how real ring might appear on QVC
Argos launched a £199 diamond and sapphire version.
thesun.co.uk
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