On Friday, London was a whirl of activity as everyone watched the wedding of the century. The royal price tag: at least $60 million, with security accounting for most of it.
Charles and Diana's wedding would cost a whopping $110 million if adjusted for inflation, according to ABC News. "Extra" breaks down the staggering costs... check it out!
The Cost of the Royal Wedding
Security at the royal wedding is reportedly costing $35 million!Five thousand police officers were hired, along with the Army, Navy and Air Force.According to Daily Mail, the hefty price tag was due, in part, to the police's salary - earning double-time while working on a bank holiday... yes, the royal wedding has been declared just that, thanks to Prime Minister David Cameron.Britain's taxpayers will foot the security bill for their beloved royal bride and groom.
For Kate Middleton, her engagement ring counts as something old, borrowed and blue. The 18-carat sapphire was from William's mother, Princess Diana.Prince Charles purchased the ring in 1981 for almost $45,000. Today it would cost $136,000.
For about $80,000, royals guests will enjoy an eight-tier wedding cake, a traditional fruitcake made by Fiona Cairns and adorned with over 900 leaf and floral touches.A second treat, a chocolate biscuit cake requested by Prince William, was prepared by McVitie's Cake Company from a Royal Family recipe and will also be served.
Kate walked down the aisle in a classic ivory Alexander McQueen dress that some believe was inspired by Grace Kelly's wedding gown.Hello Magazine had previously reported the dress most likely cost around $50-70K, although it has also been estimated at a much higher price.
Bringing the outdoors in, the royal wedding venue was lined with trees along the aisle leading to the altar. Much of the greenery came straight from the royal estates, and along with the flowers probably cost around $800,000, according to ABC News.After the wedding, the flowers and plants will be left in Westminster Abbey for public view until May 6. After that, the couple has asked that the plants and flowers be donated to charities or re-planted.
The lavish reception at Buckingham Palace weighs in at an estimated $600,000.That counts for both the champagne brunch reception, hosted by the Queen, with about 600 guests, and the evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles, with about 300 guests.
The Middleton family reportedly contributed six figures for specific costs of the wedding, according to Vanity Fair, which might include paying for hotel rooms for family members at the luxurious Goring Hotel.The cost for a standard double room there is about $550 a night.
