DVDs in the Works

In the run-up to William and Catherine’s wedding last April, the BBC aired Britain’s Royal Weddings. It was finished too late for any North American broadcaster to carry, and we wondered how the title would fare on DVD when it had no footage of this year’s royal wedding. When we watched it, we knew this two-part program could stand alone. It begins in 1923 with George V’s idea that the nation should become a part of his children’s weddings, starting with his second son Prince Albert’s marriage to Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (later the Queen Mother). Thus the processional route through London was born. Newsreel cameras dotted the route, or vied for position outside Westminster Abbey. Even then, cameras were also staked outside the bride’s quarters for that first glimpse of the dress.

The rest of the first hour is devoted to the weddings of Queen Elizabeth, and of her sister, Princess Margaret, and the second hour covers the weddings of the Queen’s children. Each occasion brings increased access and more spectacular footage, plus insights from historians, biographers and eyewitnesses who tell the stories behind the fanfare. We hear from designers, seamstresses, bakers, flower arrangers, bridesmaids, flower girls, wedding guests, photographers and onlookers along the route. You can spot Prince William as a page boy at Prince Andrew’s wedding, as well as his grandmother’s sprint to stop him from chasing the bride and groom’s carriage. The DVD will be out in the fall, and makes a nice stocking stuffer for the royalty fans on your list.

Also in time for Christmas, we’ll be carrying an exquisite commemorative mug for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee coming next year. This Wessex shape mug is light blue with gold ornamentation. We’ll also be bringing in the exclusive Royalty Blend tea from Darvilles of Windsor, who have been supplying the Royal Household at Windsor Castle since 1946.