Certainly, the Palace will be paying for most of the estimated £10 million expense of the royal wedding last week. However, for a regular businessman like Kate’s father, the estimated £250,000 expense on their side is still quite a burden.
Paying for the Affair
The bill for the five-star Goring Hotel stay is estimated at £85,000. The Royal Suite where Kate stayed during her last nights was so exclusive that it wasn’t even officially priced. Just one night in the ‘splendid silk room’ was priced at £1,525, plus 20 per cent VAT.
In addition, the Middletons picked up the tab for two parties at the hotel. On Thursday, before the wedding, Kate treated 120 friends and family to a buffet. After Friday’s ceremony, Carole and Michael Middleton hosted a lavish wedding party for even more friends.
Gowns, Flowers & More
Kate’s bridal gown, designed by Sarah Burton, was estimated to have cost more than £40,000, while Carole’s outfit by Catherine Walker was £10,000 and Pippa’s dress was about £20,000.
Kate’s stunning wedding earrings from Robinson Pelham were worth £15,000. Dressing up the family with a pendant and earrings for Carole, earrings for Pippa and gold tie sticks for Michael and James were another £30,000.
Extras Add Up
Getting Kate her shoes and her lovely bridal bouquet added up to another £3,000, while the morning suits for Michael and James, by Gieves & Hawkes, would have cost £10,000.
And let’s not forget about the extra suits and dresses for the evening of fun, which would all have added up to £20,000.
It is speculated that the family may have also made a £10,000 contribution to celebrations at the Palace and that they will contribute to the honeymoon at some point.