With less than a week to go until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day, Royal Wedding fever is really gaining pace now. With it comes the inevitable memorabilia, some of it traditionally tasteful, most of it tantalisingly tacky…
One of my earliest memories of primary school is being given a mug emblazoned with the faces of Prince Charles and Lady Di to mark their wedding.
It now sits on a shelf in my parents’ dresser, without any sense of irony, along with other royal memorabilia.
As well as another tea cup to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, there’s one in honour of her coronation (given to my mum when she was in primary school) and a plate in celebration of George VI and the Queen Mum’s coronation.
The Strangest #Royal_Wedding Merch: From Cardboard Cutouts to Commemorative Condoms: If you want to throw an epic #royal_wedding viewing party, we suggest life-size cutouts, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle party masks and Crown Jewels commemorative condoms. https://t.co/EBqzZeWMVc pic.twitter.com/x2Pc4CPmje
— Kevin Royer (@kevinthebroker) May 5, 2018
Treasure or trash?
I’ve often wondered whether these treasures might be worth something. A quick Google search confirms that while the items are certainly collectables, they’re so mass-produced that they definitely wouldn’t fetch a, er, king’s ransom.
According to the experts, with royal memorabilia, it is only the rarest limited-edition pieces, something historic or those with unexpected mistakes that hold any investment appeal. Your main motivation for collecting it, it seems, is simply to mark the occasion.
Memorable memorabilia
The Royal Wedding mug that tells it like it was. pic.twitter.com/goAWIenuYz
— Peter Rowe TL40 (@Sadpad21) September 8, 2014
So, if my mum was so inclined, what could she get to mark next Saturday’s events?
Well, there’s an official bone china collection featuring Harry and Meghan’s initials entwined (which immediately puts me in mind of the high-street chain, H&M), while the Royal Mint has issued a commemorative £5 coin with an image of the couple inscribed on one side – the gold version of which could set you back nearly £2k.
But if I were to buy into this memorabilia malarkey, my money would be on any of the other unofficial pieces out there. And there’s already quite a glut…
If you’re going to have a royal mug, it definitely needs to be a @LibertyLondon one! https://t.co/umhLaP9Wkh #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/RGaz4NgGyp
— Bright&Beautiful HQ (@BBHousekeeping) May 10, 2018
From pinnies to peg dolls, colouring books to ceramics, tea towels to Top Trumps cards, it seems there are plenty of retailers who are getting in on the act.
And if you want to celebrate the big day with a barbie or tea party, be sure to stock up on Heck Sweet Ginger & American mustard sausages, Tyrell’s Ginger & Sparkle crisps, Windsor Knot beer and a whole range of Royal Wedding sweet treats from Mr Kipling.
My personal favourite of the memorabilia? The completely inappropriate Crown Jewels commemorative condoms.
What do you think of these @Crown_Jewels condoms as a #royalwedding gift? They play ‘God Save the Queen’ when opened…Though surely “One Day My Prince Will Come” more appropriate? @adamhillscomedy https://t.co/OTrpJrys0l pic.twitter.com/E9tOnAcepD
— Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) April 3, 2018
What Royal Wedding memorabilia have you seen on sale? Will you be buying any? How do you intend to mark the big day?
Will you be celebrating the Royal Wedding?
No – I've got better things to do. (78%, 299 Votes)
Yes – It's a day of national celebration! (22%, 86 Votes)
Total Voters: 385
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