Will and Kate’s wedding may be steeped in family tradition, but the couple has a few modern twists planned for their royal reception.
William and Kate will travel to Buckingham Palace following the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in the 1902 State Landau carriage, the same one used for Charles and Diana’s wedding. But instead of Diana’s glass carriage, Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, the same one attacked by students in December while Charles and Camilla were inside.
Once the newlyweds adjourn to Buckingham Palace, their reception will span over 19 rooms such as the picture gallery, where the cake will be displayed.
The wedding cake will be a traditional fruitcake, made by Fiona Cairns. But there will also be a second wedding cake. Will has requested his personal favourite, a chocolate-cookie cake, made by McVitie’s Cake Company. More than 35 lbs. of chocolate and about 1,700 McVitie’s Rich Tea biscuits will be used to make it.
The Queen’s head chef Mark Flanagan is in charge of the rest of the menu. But in keeping with many of the royal wedding’s details, what Flanagan’s planning to serve at the buffet-style breakfast is being kept secret. The royal chef has said that the 600 guests will be served a variety of hot and cold canapé©s that will showcase the best of British produce. Canapé©s often served at the palace that could make an appearance include quails’ eggs with celery salt and duck-leg terrine with smoked duck and pear chutney.
The music lineup for the ceremony is traditional to a tee: it will feature The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra, The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the State Trumpeters of The Household Cavalry.
But the couple are shaking up their post-ceremony playlist. Kate’s said to be something of a Dancing Queen: ABBA is reportedly her favourite band. And Will’s partial to 80s jams. He’s said to have requested groups like Culture Club, Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran, as well as hip hop artist Dizzee Rascal. Prince Harry’s close friend and club entrepreneur Guy Pelly will be the reception’s DJ.
It’ll be a wedding disco like those enjoyed by millions of other happy families and friends up and down the country, a source told the UK newspaper The Sun. William and Kate are astutely aware their every move during the wedding will be under scrutiny around the world. That is why they want a fantastic after-party so they can relax just like any other happy couple.
