Secret Bachelor Party for Prince William

It seems that Prince Williams has learned over the years how to keep his private events secret:
Neither his Engagement nor his Stag Night were revealed until after they happened: The Palace
confirmed, that there was a “a low-key party at a rural retreat at the weekend”, but further
details weren’t given. The Party was organized by best man Prince Harry, who invited about 20 of
Williams closest friends.

British press speculates that the party took place at the private residence of a close friend.
James Meade, Hugh Van Cutsem and Thomas van Straubenzee were among the 20 Friends who were “sworn
to secrecy”. Prince William is reported to have been very carfull that the party would not portray
him in a bad light during these tough times in Britain.

Earlier plans to hold the event on the River Exe were abandoned after they were leaked to the
press.

Kate Middletons party will be organized by her sister, no details have emerged yet, but it is
expected to take place at their parents house.

Processional Route and Wedding Carriage revealed

Clarence House has revealed the route that the Royal Couple will take to and from the Wedding
Ceremony as well as the vehicles that will be used. One of the highlights of the Celebrations will
be the ride in a State Landau that was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902. It has been
used before by Charles and Diana, and many other Royals, over the years.

For the separate arrival of Miss Middleton and Prince William at Westminster Abbey, two classic
cars will be used.

Miss Middleton will arrive together with her father in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI, a car that
recently made headlines, when Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles were attacked by rioters in
December.

After the Church Ceremony, the newly weds will depart in a horse-drawn, open-topped 1902 State
Landau carriage. It will travel along a carefully planned processional route back to Buckingham
Palace. Thousands of bystanders are expected to cheer when William and Kate will make their first
appearance as a married couple.

Royal Parks has released the Processional Route; it runs from Westminster Abbey to Parliament
Square and then on to Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade before The Mall to the Palace.

William and Kate ask for Donations instead of Wedding Gifts

If you weren’t sure what to give to a future king, who probably has everything – there is some
relief: Prince William and Kate Middleton have set up the Prince William and Miss Catherine
Middleton Charitable Gift Fund, asking well-wishers to donate money instead of gifts. The money
will then go to a number of causes that the couple has carefully chosen. Most of them were not well
known so far, but the couple thinks they deserve more attention.

On their Charitable Gift Funds Website they released the following statement:

Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have created a charitable gift fund to help celebrate
their wedding. The fund will focus on assisting charities, which support the five causes chosen by
the couple. These causes are close to their hearts and reflect the experiences, passions and values
of their lives so far. Having been touched by the goodwill shown to them since their engagement,
they have asked that anyone wishing to send them a wedding gift consider doing so in the form of a
donation to the fund.

The money will then go to 26 charities that fall into the categories of Changing Lives through Arts
and Sport, Children Fulfilling Their Potential, Help and Care at Home, Support for Service
Personnel and Their Families, and Conservation for Future Generations.

Donors can give directly through the Website and select, which of the causes they want to support,
or simply give to all of them.

While most of the charities are of course located in Great Britain, some are based in Canada,
Australia and New Zealand. The U.S.-based Peace Players International’s program is also on the
list, it was founded ten years ago by Washington residents Brendan and Sean Touhey and aims to get
kids together in conflict-torn areas of Northern Ireland through basketball.