Immediately after the announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding, manufacturers from all over the world started to sell a huge range of products. It's sometimes hard to understand what to buy, where to buy, how to secure your purchase and avoid fakes. This article will help you to make your way through this jungle.
In general, all these items can be classified in two categories: souvenirs and memorabilia.
1/ Souvenirs
Who is it for?
People buy them to make a funny and/or cheap present to a friend or a colleague (usually with the cheap price comes the poor quality).
What is it?
Souvenirs are the most widely produced items. You will find:
- Classic souvenirs: t-shirts, flags, mouse mats, ashtrays...
- Funny souvenirs: producers have been very creative. You will easily find crazy little things such as the Crown Jewels condoms, or even sick bags to 'Keep this handy on April 29th 2011'.
Where to find them?
- If you plan to visit London for the Royal Wedding, you will find them in every souvenirs shop on the high street.
- You can also find lots of souvenirs on Internet. Try eBay or Amazon.
Price: it's easy to find something for less than $15 / £10
2/ Memorabilia
Who is it for?
Royal Wedding memorabilia is not only for collectors. Buy these items if you want to:
- Make a quality present to a loved one,
- Find a lovely decoration for your home,
- Have a long lasting object to remember the Royal Wedding.
And of course... if you are a British Royalty fan, go for memorabilia!
What is it?
Most of the memorabilia is fine bone china, jewellery and commemorative plaques. There are also some nice books.
Memorabilia can be defined as quality commemoratives that will keep value over the time.
You will find two types of memorabilia:
- The official one, approved by Buckingham Palace, this is the best you can find.
- Production from small companies: to avoid bad surprises, go for the traditional manufacturers based in England (often in the North).
Price: Prices generally start around $30 / £20
Where to find them?
- Your best option is to go for a specialized website, such as www.royalweddingmemorabilia.net/
- It is more risky to buy on eBay or Amazon: lots of objects sold as 'official memorabilia' tend to be fakes.
- You can try to buy directly from the manufacturer, but they generally sell only to wholesalers.
Kat Willis is a fan of the British Royalty. She likes to collect memorabilia and share her passion with others.
In general, all these items can be classified in two categories: souvenirs and memorabilia.
1/ Souvenirs
Who is it for?
People buy them to make a funny and/or cheap present to a friend or a colleague (usually with the cheap price comes the poor quality).
What is it?
Souvenirs are the most widely produced items. You will find:
- Classic souvenirs: t-shirts, flags, mouse mats, ashtrays...
- Funny souvenirs: producers have been very creative. You will easily find crazy little things such as the Crown Jewels condoms, or even sick bags to 'Keep this handy on April 29th 2011'.
Where to find them?
- If you plan to visit London for the Royal Wedding, you will find them in every souvenirs shop on the high street.
- You can also find lots of souvenirs on Internet. Try eBay or Amazon.
Price: it's easy to find something for less than $15 / £10
2/ Memorabilia
Who is it for?
Royal Wedding memorabilia is not only for collectors. Buy these items if you want to:
- Make a quality present to a loved one,
- Find a lovely decoration for your home,
- Have a long lasting object to remember the Royal Wedding.
And of course... if you are a British Royalty fan, go for memorabilia!
What is it?
Most of the memorabilia is fine bone china, jewellery and commemorative plaques. There are also some nice books.
Memorabilia can be defined as quality commemoratives that will keep value over the time.
You will find two types of memorabilia:
- The official one, approved by Buckingham Palace, this is the best you can find.
- Production from small companies: to avoid bad surprises, go for the traditional manufacturers based in England (often in the North).
Price: Prices generally start around $30 / £20
Where to find them?
- Your best option is to go for a specialized website, such as www.royalweddingmemorabilia.net/
- It is more risky to buy on eBay or Amazon: lots of objects sold as 'official memorabilia' tend to be fakes.
- You can try to buy directly from the manufacturer, but they generally sell only to wholesalers.
Kat Willis is a fan of the British Royalty. She likes to collect memorabilia and share her passion with others.