In November 2010, an industry was born. Upon hearing of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement, scores of retailers scrambled to produce royal wedding memorabilia items that will inevitably sell for thousands of dollars on eBay one day. Here's our roundup of the most sentimental, strange and comically inappropriate commemorative items up for sale right now.


Porcelain bears. The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain company has released a limited edition of 250 bear figurines created in the likenesses of William and Kate. The William bear is dressed in a blue waistcoast and a jacket featuring the letter "C" (for Catherine, Kate's full name), while the Kate bear wears a tiara and a dress with the letter "W" printed on her bodice. You can order the bears online for £175.



Airplane sickness bags. On a less adorable note, British graphic designer Lydia Leith designed souvenir sick bags as a humorous representation of royal wedding overkill. The paper bags, which are selling for £3, show the words "Throne Up" above an illustration of Prince William and his fiancee.



Beer. The fine people at Castle Rock Brewery, the largest in Nottingham, have come up with a special "Kiss Me Kate" beer to celebrate the occasion. Their concoction, which will start being served a month before the wedding, will be "British to the core"—no imported hops or barley allowed. The pale ale will be brewed to five percent and will taste "elegant and full."


Garden gnomes. As kitschy as royal wedding gnomes sound, we're relieved that their creators refrained from designing them in the likeness of the bride and groom. Instead, they've decked the conventional pair of male and female gnomes in wedding gear and hats printed with the Union Jack. B&Q, who also manufactured football gnomes for the 2010 World Cup, are selling the gnomes for £20 a pair.


Comic book. According to illustrator Rich Johnston, Kate & William: A Very Public Love Story, follows a long tradition of "comics for girls in which the girl dreams of meeting someone famous and falling in love."



Vaguely insulting nail polish. Nail care company Butter London gave a nod to the tabloids by releasing a glittery, mauve-lavendar nail polish called "No More Waity, Katie," which pokes fun at Kate's perseverance in waiting for William's proposal. Ouch!



Novelty condoms. Heritage Condoms created their aptly-named line of "Crown Jewels" condoms to celebrate the happy occasion. "Combining the strength of a Prince with the yielding sensitivity of a Princess-to-be, Crown Jewels condoms promise a royal union of pleasure. Truly a King amongst condoms," the company says. Though, according to the packaging, "Crown Jewels Royal Wedding Souvenir Condoms are a novelty condom not suitable for contraception or protection against STDs."



Wedding countdown app. In case you're waiting on the edge of your seat for the ceremony to begin.


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1 Response
  1. prasad Says:

    The world is awaiting for Royal wedding after so many years a marriage is in the royal family i hope both of them will live happily life along together with some one or two children so let us wish they will be the best couple of the world for the year of 2011 after this wedding she will also prove herself a kind hearted woman as like as Princes Diana and also participate in so many social activities.


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