ROYAL WEDDING Souvenirs Gifts - Weddings & Honeymoons

The Royal Wedding
• William & Kate's Charitable Gift Fund

Souvenirs & Mementos

Canadian Wedding Stamps for William & Kate
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Friday, April 15, 2011

“As symbols of love and loyalty, these stamps are eloquent,” said Canadian Governor General David Johnston at the unveiling ceremony at the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II's representative, Rideau Hall.

Canada Post unveiled stamps commemorating the upcoming wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Canada Post produced more than 16 million of the royal wedding stamps. Some 100,000 were pre-ordered online by collectors even before they were unveiled. Both stamps were issued on the couple's wedding day, April 29 at post offices across Canada where buyers had an opportunity to cancel their stamps at the post office with commemorative cancels. The stamps can also be purchased online or by mail order.

The 59-cent domestic stamp features a photograph taken of the couple last November when they announced their engagement, far left. The $1.75 international stamp shows their official engagement, left. Both photos were taken by fashion photographer Mario Testing, who was the favourite of Prince William's mother, Diana. The stamps were approved by Prince William and the Queen.

Also available since April 29 is a souvenir sheet of the stamps with an inside view of Westminster Abbey, where the marriage will took place. A limited number of the special souvenir sheets were overprinted in gold foil with Prince William's coat of arms. Philatelic and royal memorabilia collectors can also purchase a full pane of 16 stamps, official first day covers and specially designed cancellations at select post offices. For a list of cancellation sites, visit canadapost.ca/royal.

CTV reported that the stamps and related products were created by Montreal-based graphic designer Isabelle Toussaint in association with Clarence House, the London residence of Prince Charles, William's father.

Other Commonwealth countries that are issuing or have issued stamps to mark the occasion include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Gibraltar, Mozambique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Isle of Man.

It marks the first time in more than 60 years that Canada Post has issued a stamp to commemorate a royal wedding. The last was issued in 1948 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's marriage the previous year to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.

Royal Canadian Mint unveils William and Kate coins
April 6, 2011
OTTAWA - The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled two collector coins commemorating the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

$20 Fine Silver Coin, pictured left - H.R.H. Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton (2011)
A 20-dollar silver coin features an engraving of the engaged couple and on its face side the image of William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, created by Canadian artists Laurie McGaw and Susan Blunt. Just beneath is a blue Swarovski crystal, representing Kate's 18-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which once belonged to William's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
They are to be sold for $104.95 each. Shipping began May 2, 2011. Mintage 25000.

$25-cent Coloured Coin, pictured left - H.R.H. Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton (2011)
A coloured 25-cent nickel plated steel coin depicts a color reproduction of a photograph taken of William and Kate attending the wedding of friend Chiara Hunt in Salzburg, Austria in 2008. They are to be sold for $25.95 each. Shipping began May 2, 2011. Mintage while supplies last.

The Royal Canadian Mint has a long history of honouring royal milestones through finely crafted collector coins, and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was a priceless opportunity to celebrate Canada’s pride in royal tradition.

Guinness World Records
Unveils Royal Wedding Records
April 5, 2011
Will William and Kate break any records or establish a new one?

Prince William and Kate Middleton's April 29th wedding will undoubtedly break a number of hearts of young ladies who once dreamed of becoming William's princess, but will it break a Guinness World Record? Their wedding is sure to set a world wedding watching record set by television, the Internet and phones. A list of wedding records currently in the Guinness World Records includes:
• The largest TV audience for a wedding occurred on July 29, 1981 during the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. It was watched by an estimated 750 million people in 74 countries, pictured left ... read more/

The Royal Wedding For Dummies
April 4, 2011

It had to happen - you can also use the guide as a how-to if you are planning your celebration to be royal-like. There's a chapter that includes a recipe section with great takes on traditional British fare for parties and royal trivia.

The guide provides readers with a fun look at this historical Royal Wedding of William and Kate that includes: A brief biography of the happy couple. Royal wedding fact sheets featuring in-depth explanations of the customs, rules of etiquette, and history on display during the events. An inside look at Westminster Abbey - the building, the history, and the weddings. A lively account of royal weddings of the past - with a score card ranking the ultimate results - including a look at other royal/commoner romances. Where did they go?’ Royal honeymoons of the past. And a ‘Know Your Heads of State and Hangers-On’ section perfect for figuring out who's at the events.

There’s also an ‘If you're going’ guide featuring the best places to get a glimpse of the revelry in person, best places to grab a pint or glass of wine and soak up the atmosphere, and tips on getting around London easily and safely on the day.
(The Royal Wedding For Dummies by Julian Knight $11.99 CDN. The book is available in stores and online).

England's Engagement Stamps issued for William & Kate
Tuesday March 29, 2011

On April 21, Queen Elizabeth's birthday the Royal Mail issued two stamps, pictured left, commemorating the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The engagement stamps can be ordered online.

One stamp features the couple's official engagement portrait taken in the Royal Council Chamber, while the second is a less formal shot snapped in the Palace's Cornwall Room, both by photographer Mario Testino.

These specific engagement stamps mark the beginning of a new tradition, as Prince William is the first of the queen's grandchildren to have his wedding commemorated by the Royal Mail. Before these stamps could be released, they were seen by Prince William and the Queen, who gave them their, well, stamp of approval.

Official Wedding Coin issued
March 3, 2011

LONDON - The Royal Mint issued a Prince William and Kate Middleton official wedding coin that sells for nearly 10 pounds or roughly US$16 to commemorate the April 29 wedding.

This latest special issue coin from the Royal Mint – which has marked royal occasions since 1935's Silver Jubilee of George V – features the work of Mark Richards, a fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. The design was approved by the bride- and groom-to-be before it was sent to George Osbourne, the Chancellor, for his green light. The ultimate official okay came from Queen Elizabeth II, whose portrait appears on the flip side.

Some coin collectors are remarking on Kate's smile looking a little toothy, and William having more hair on his head.

Kiss Me Kate - a beer toast
February 18, 2011
NOTTINGHAM, England - Castle Rock brewery celebrated the marriage of HRH Prince William to Kate Middleton by brewing a special real ale called Kiss Me Kate. It was brewed to 5%, and pale in colour with British barley and hops. The beer was only on tap for a limited time – about 40 barrels and 100 bottles – around pubs in Britain and ran up to the wedding Friday, April 29th.

Kate's Collector's Edition Cover
LONDON - Britain's Tatler magazine's February cover featured Kate Middleton, left, with an iconic pop culture treatment shown in a color-drenched portrait reminiscent of Andy Warhol's images of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1960's. The issue included a royal engagement special.

WeddingsHoneymoons.com | Souvenirs & Gifts | updated May 5, 2011