The wedding of the century is coming down to the wire, as are all the last-minute details; from Kate Middleton's wedding night accommodations, to the ceremonial rehearsals. With so many particulars finally revealed, wedding talk is now giving way to speculation about William and Kate's first-born.
Hotel fit for a princess
The Guardian reports that Kate Middleton will spend her last night as a single commoner at London's historic Goring Hotel. Together with her mother Carole and sister Pippa she'll occupy a recently refurbished five-room suite on the top floor of the seventy-one room hotel. Kate's pre-wedding stay features some royal touches such as a frame containing Queen Victoria's silk bridal gown and tiara, as well as a grand piano, and an original 19th-century toilet. The hotel, which just celebrated its centenary, is located nearly a kilometre from Westminster Abbey, allowing for the quick limo ride on the morning of April 29.
George Michael's gift of song
The Guardian reports that singer George Michael has kept the promise he made to his Twitter followers by releasing his cover version of the Stevie Wonder song, You and I, specially dedicated to William and Kate. The song would have cost Michael large sums in licensing fees, but Stevie Wonder stepped in to waive them for a brief period of time so fans could enjoy the free download. Michael, a good friend of the late Princess Diana, was prepared to pay the fees, which would make it, he said, "the most expensive wedding pressie I ever gave anyone." Fans are encouraged to donate to William and Kate's charitable gift fund.
Royal dissent
In an interview on a British talk show to promote his June 3 stand-up show in London, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, called the royal wedding a "circus act." He said, "It's a classic English thing of, 'let's play dress-up.' That's why the British have the greatest theatre in the world. They love to dress up and they love to play pretend. And that's what the royal family is: it's a huge game of pretend. These aren't special people – it's fake outfits, fake phony hats and gowns."
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton's great-aunt Alice Goldsmith revealed that she thinks Kate is "too good" for the Royals. In a documentary titled Meet the Middletons on Britain's Channel 4 television station, the 99-year old sister of Kate's maternal grandfather, said, "I don't think she knows what she's letting herself in for. I wonder how she'll end up." Ms. Goldsmith is not invited to the wedding, and admitted that she doesn't know Kate and has not met William.
Royal succession
With less than two weeks until the big day, and with so many details about the wedding now public knowledge, talk has turned from nuptials to the couple's children, and their royal futures. According to law, only a first-born boy can ascend to the throne and any changes to the succession law could take years. "This has been discussed before and everyone in the front line of politics agrees that this does need to change and there are conversations ongoing," said British prime minister David Cameron. 'But it clearly does take some time because the Queen is not just Queen of the United Kingdom, but many other countries around the world and so changes have to be changes that all countries take on board and put in place.'
House Guards Cavalcade practice
When the Royal couple's carriage and the Queen's carriage travel the ceremonial route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, they'll be accompanied by the House Guards Cavalcade. This honourable duty is so important that the 150 mounted soldiers who make up the Cavalcade have been practising since February. This is to ensure that every detail is met; from the crispness of their uniforms and shine of their boots, to the perfectly maintained horses' manes. The Household Cavalry comprises two regiments; the armoured reconnaissance and the mounted ceremonial. Both are made up of The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, of which Prince William is a member. Colonel Stuart Cowen, Commander of the House Guards Calvary, told the Telegraph, "The ceremonial role is hugely important for the soldiers because the values and standards that you see in the Army are embraced in there; teamwork, service, courage."
