The royal wedding is just over eight weeks away and a vast amount of ink is being spilled on the topic. Just in case you don't have a chance to read it all, CTV.ca will be posting a royal roundup every week starting today up until the big day. For all the latest behind-the-scenes info – from Kate Middleton's dress designer to Prince William's bachelor party, to the carefully planned details of the auspicious April 29th wedding day – you'll find it here.
Wedding party announcement
Thought the invitations may be mostly secret and Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer is under wraps and likely to be guarded until April 29 when she walks down the Westminster Abbey aisle, the royal wedding party has been fully announced.
Clarence House confirmed last week that, no surprise, Prince Harry is best man, and Philippa (Pippa) Middleton, Kate's sister, is maid of honour. Middleton is breaking tradition by choosing her 27-year-old sister since the bride's attendant is customarily much younger.
The rest of the party is as follows: Lady Louise Windsor, 7, the daughter of Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex; and William's second cousin the Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8, the daughter Viscount Linley. Three-year-old Eliza Lopes, the granddaughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Grace van Cutsem, 3, daughter of one of William's closest friends, will round out the bridal party. Prince William's page boys will be Billy, 10, son of his personal secretary and friend, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, and eight-year-old Tom, the son of William's former nanny, Tiggy Pettifer.
Who's invited, who's not
The coveted royal wedding invitations are now safely in the hands of 1,900 lucky people. Of those, 600 people have been invited to the Queen's lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace; and 300 to the dinner at Buckingham Palace given by Prince Charles.
The Daily Telegraph reports that, true to the couple's desire for a "people's wedding" they have invited plenty of regular folk, including a butcher, postman and pub owner from Kate's hometown of Bucklebury, Berkshire. Other guests include members of the Royal Family and their friends; friends of the couple, including some of their exes; the Middleton family and friends; members of foreign royal families, defence representatives; members of Prince William's patronages, church representatives; government figures, diplomats, Governors-General and Prime Ministers, and members of the royal household.
Other noteworthy invitees include Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife; Prince William's uncle Charles Spencer and his Canadian fiancé, the philanthropist Karen Gordon, Victoria and David Beckham, Kanye West, Elton John and David Furnish. Notably absent off the list are U.S. President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama, since this is not considered a state wedding. And of course, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who is estranged from the Royal Family.
British newspapers are reporting that Prince Harry has been spotted on several occasions with his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, leading to speculation that they will attend the wedding together.
Wills, Kate may attend Canada Day celebrations
The first official trip abroad for the newlyweds will be to Canada, where they will begin a two-week tour on the East Coast and wrap it up in British Columbia. The visit is meant to pay tribute to our country's military history and will make stops at various historic sites. They will reportedly be in attendance at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. According to Hello Magazine, a Royal spokesperson said that Prince William "was keen to be able to visit Canada for himself as an adult, and to be able to show his wife a country that is close to his family's heart." Prince William last visited Canada in 1998, at the age of 15, with Prince Charles and Prince Harry.
First public appearance in Wales to christen a boat
In their first official public appearance as a betrothed couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton appeared in Anglesey, Wales for the dedication of a lifeboat. As Britain's latest fashion icon, much was made, as usual, of Kate's elegant outfit, including a velvet and feather "fascinator," something between a hat and a lavish hair clip, which she cleverly used to keep her hair tidy in the strong breeze. She handled herself extremely well as she received flowers from young children and chatted with well-wishers during her walkabout. She was given the honour of christening the boat, spilling a little of the champagne on her fiancé's shoes. Prince William quipped, "She gets to do the fun bit."
Then, off to St. Andrew's where they first met
Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the 600th anniversary celebrations at the St. Andrew's, in Scotland, the university where they met in 2001. Looking comfortable and poised in a deep red suit with black accessories, Kate – who's been receiving coaching on how to conduct herself at these formal events - looked on with an easy smile as Prince William addressed the crowd. "This is a very special moment for Catherine and me; it feels like coming home."
