Accessibility links

Breaking News

Cups and Condoms: Vendors Offer up Array of Royal Wedding Memorabilia


People browse for Royal Wedding souvenirs ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor, Britain, May 16, 2018.
People browse for Royal Wedding souvenirs ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor, Britain, May 16, 2018.

From masks and mugs to tea-bags and even condoms, royal fans can get their hands on all sorts of memorabilia to commemorate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming wedding.

The names and faces of Queen Elizabeth's grandson and his American fiancé adorn merchandise in shops across the British town of Windsor, where the couple will marry on Saturday and where vendors hope to capitalize on interest from locals and tourists.

Bags, cups, plates and "Harry" and "Meghan" jars of yeast extract, a spread usually eaten on toast, are on display on store shelves and in windows, alongside flags, cuddly toys and party wear.

"Our shoppers like to have something to remember the day by," Anthony Edwards, of Daniel department store, said. "We've got customers who bought 130 of the miniature magnets because they're celebrating their wedding on the same day."

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry, left and Meghan Markle attend a women's empowerment reception at the Royal Aeronautical Society, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in London, April 19, 2018.
FILE - Britain's Prince Harry, left and Meghan Markle attend a women's empowerment reception at the Royal Aeronautical Society, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in London, April 19, 2018.

The Royal Mint has unveiled a special coin, while Crown Jewels of London is selling "royal wedding souvenir condoms," presented in a box playing "an exclusive musical arrangement of 'God Save the Queen' and 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"

One consultancy has estimated the wedding could boost the UK economy by one billion pounds.

UK economic forecasting group EY ITEM Club said last week it expects the lift to be "limited."

"There should be some benefits to the UK economy from the royal wedding, although we would be wary of over-egging the potential impact or seeking to put a hard figure on the potential gains," Howard Archer, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, said in a statement.

"We suspect there will be a very limited, temporary boost to the economy focused on some sectors, notably retail, tourism and, possibly, catering and pubs."

FILE - This Nov. 28, 2017 file photo shows a general view of St George's Chapel within the walls of of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at the chapel on May 19, 2018.
FILE - This Nov. 28, 2017 file photo shows a general view of St George's Chapel within the walls of of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at the chapel on May 19, 2018.

Outside Windsor Castle, where Britain's sixth-in-line to the throne and the actress will marry, Kevin Ball has set up a small stall of commemorative caps and scarves on a bicycle to be able to move among the huge crowds expected.

"My mother-in-law is 87 now and she's pulling out things from Queen Elizabeth's wedding .... People like to look back on it in years to come," he said.

At the "King and Queen" gift shop, a steady flow of customers are picking their souvenirs.

"Everybody's going crazy," Alan Earwaker, 70, said after buying a commemorative mug. "I've got people over from Brazil, they're buying loads and loads of stuff to take back.... Everybody's wedding mad."

  • 16x9 Image

    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

XS
SM
MD
LG