The Queen and the Prince of Wales are willing to contribute to the cost of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, which some believe could exceed £50 million.
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Both the Queen and Prince of Wales will contribute towards the cost of the wedding which could exceed £50 million Photo: P
Charles’s own wedding to Diana in 1981 cost an estimated £30 million, with thousands of police and Armed Forces personnel lining the streets to maintain order as 600,000 people gathered in London to watch.
Even without some of the more lavish touches of 30 years ago - such as 10,000 pearls hand-sewn into Diana’s gown, and 27 wedding cakes - the bill for next year’s event could easily eclipse the costs incurred by Prince William’s parents.
Observers have suggested that the total will run into tens of millions of pounds, with one estimate putting the figure at £80 million for security alone.
The likely budget will not be known until the detailed arrangements for the event have been announced.
But Prince William and Miss Middleton have already come under pressure to rein in the costs, at a time of severe public spending cuts and high rates of unemployment.
Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, jokingly offered City Hall as a “cut price” venue with great views of the capital for an austerity wedding.
A spokesman for St James’s Palace said the couple were "mindful of the economic situation" and insisted that the Royal Family would pay their share.
“Both the Prince of Wales and the Queen will contribute towards the cost of the wedding. It will be a family contribution,” he said.
“In particular, if the reception is held at Buckingham Palace, the Queen will pay for that.”
Sarah Haywood, a renowned wedding designer, suggested that the event could easily cost £10 million, with a lavish reception, invitations, Miss Middleton’s bridal gown and other items taken into account.
If the ceremony is held in Westminster Abbey, teams of council cleaners will be deployed during the previous night, preparing the city to look its best, before spending more time clearing litter once the crowds have gone.
Officials estimated that the cost of cleaning the streets for a central London royal wedding could reach £40,000. The clear-up operation after the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, cost £300,000.
Cllr Ed Argar, from Westminster Council, said the authority would do everything possible to ensure that the day ran smoothly and that the borough was left “immaculately clean”.
However, it is the intensive policing and security operation that is likely to come with the highest price.
Royalty and political leaders from across the world could join hundreds of thousands of well-wishers in London for the day, requiring months of preparation and monitoring of potential threats. Royal protection, special branch, armed police, diplomatic protection and beat officers are certain to be involved.
Jenny Jones, a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, warned that the event would present a “fantastic opportunity” for terrorists.
“It is a massive nightmare for the police and I feel sorry for the Met because this is the last think that they need when they are under such pressure before the Olympics,” she said.
Ms Jones, a Green Party politician, said the Queen should pay for her grandson’s nuptials, which would “certainly” cost tens of millions of pounds.
“The Queen’s personal wealth is estimated at £290 million. I just think she has got to pay for it.”
Ms Jones said she could not put a figure on the likely policing cost but thought it would be “less than £100 million”. One estimate suggested the bill could run to £80 million.
But royal watchers insisted that the benefits to the UK economy of the event would far outweigh the final bill.
Pictures of the wedding will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world, serving as an advertisement for Britain.
Neil Saunders, consulting director of retail researchers Verdict, said merchandising, increased tourism to the UK and a feel-good factor that increases retail sales in general could give the economy “a £620 million consumer spending boost”.
