Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Royal Wedding Collectibles

Posted May 2011

Kate Middleton and Prince William were married in Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. Royal watchers will be eyeing a wide range of collectibles. Which royal collectibles should you buy? I always advise people to collect objects that chronicle a historic event or relate to historic figures. It has been proven that in the market for art and antiques these historic and genuine objects will hold their value long term. Quality and authentic objects relating to a royal wedding, albeit the first of this century, certainly fit the bill.

Collecting the Queen. Reports indicate that the Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel wrote in a staff memo recently that, "We want (royal wedding) items that are permanent and significant." For the Kate/William royal wedding, Queen Elizabeth II and her staff are proponents of such regal wedding collectibles as porcelain pillboxes, monogrammed tea towels and commemorative cups that highlight the future king and his new bride. These are going to be, long term, the sought-after collectibles, so these are the objects to acquire now.

The history of royal collectibles ranges from Queen Victoria’s diamond tiara to George V coronation china, Queen Elizabeth II monogrammed silver tea service, and of course, Prince Charles and Princess Diana royal wedding porcelain boxes.

Cuckoo Collectibles. Buckingham Palace prefers classic royal wedding souvenirs over the mass-produced William and Kate wedding dolls and knickknacks featuring images of the couple, many of which are coming out of China. Some of the more jovial royal collectibles include royal condoms, royal wedding sick (vomit) bags for all the other women who aren’t marrying the world’s #1 bachelor, and “Waity Katie” nail polish.

Collectibles will emerge in the oddest of places. With the internet, a sales arena not available when Princess Diana wed in 1981, the world will have no trouble acquiring a wide variety of royal collectibles relating to Prince William and his bride.

Unexpected but valuable. For the wedding of William and Kate, there are a few collectibles that I think will travel under the radar. For instance, the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, will see an increase in sales of items relating to the special place where the royal couple met in 2001 and fell in love. The couple graduated from the famous school in June 2005. Don’t be surprised to see people selling off carpet remnants from the couple’s famous campus apartment.

I congratulate the royal couple and happy hunting to all the rest of you royal collectors. 

Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. As seen on NBC’s The Tonight Show and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Dr. Lori can be seen on the national TV morning show, Daytime. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call 888 431-1010.

Buckingham Palace
prefers “significant” royal wedding collectibles for the wedding of Prince William and Kate. On April 29, the value of the Prince Charles and Lady Diana engagement mug probably spiked from today’s value of $175.