Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding could cost as much as $43 million
But it's bringing in big money to Britain
But it's bringing in big money to Britain
But it's bringing in big money to Britain
The upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is going to be an expensive event. We're just not sure how expensive.
The total cost of the royal wedding is around $43 million, according to estimates from British wedding app . Most of that money isn't even going toward fun stuff; Bridebook says about $40 million is allocated toward security to keep the royal family and their guests safe through the entire day, including snipers, undercover police and other high-tech protections.
Similar precautions were in place for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, but police put their security cost around then. If Harry and Meghan spend about the same on security, that brings the cost down to a more conservative figure — sort of.
The rest of the budget is due to more uplifting (but still very expensive) reasons. Bridebook's estimates for the wedding, which takes place May 19 at Windsor Castle, include:
- $386,000 on catering ()
- $260,000 on drinks
- $404,000 on the wedding dress
- $47,000 on installing enough toilets at the venue
- $404,000 on the music ()
- $162,000 on the honeymoon
To put it all in perspective, Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kanye West reportedly cost , George and Amal Clooney got hitched for , and the average American gets married for around .
So, who foots the bill? Markle's family is obviously is not paying for everything, though she is reportedly covering the cost of her wedding dress. Kensington Palace other "core" wedding costs are covered by the royal family and their .
The security cost, however, is covered by British taxpayers, according to the . When William and Kate were married, the government helped police with a $4.8 million grant. Luckily, the country might make up for it with a tourism spike, partly from the free marking for Britain as millions tune in to watch the wedding. puts the wedding's economic boost around $675 million.
So yes, it still pays to be a royal.