READY FOR THE WEDDING OF THE REAR?
JUST over six years since her shapely bottom stole the show at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding, today it’s Pippa Middleton’s turn to walk down the aisle.
And, from the £100,000 ‘crystal palace’ marquee, to the white rose-lined loos – or ‘throne rooms’ and the bridal boot camp (it’s a ‘thing’), people just cannot get enough of the details of the professional party planner’s nuptials.
Depending on where you get your gossip, the lavish affair, which is to take place at her parents’ £6million mansion in, Berkshire is expected to cost as much as £250,000.
Given that Pippa has not said a word publicly about the do, these figures may well be pulled out of journalists’ own rear ends.
But given that Kate’s little sister is marrying James Matthews, a multi-millionaire hedge fund manager – a job that has nothing to do with gardening and everything to do with making stinking great piles of cash on a daily basis – needless to say, money is no object when it comes to the wedding budget.
We can expect the bill for the bride’s gown to run to at least five figures with British designers Jenny Packham, Roksanda and Giles Deacon hotly tipped for the job and whispers that Pippa will not only have two dresses for the occasion but has asked that guests do the same and bring a change of clothes too.
So far so guesswork. But there are a few things we know for sure about Pippa’s big day, beside the location of the event, and these include the guest list.
Top of that is of course Pip’s big sis, who may or may not act as bridesmaid.
As appealing as it would be to see the super-stylish future Queen in orange taffeta, I can’t see that happening. But I imagine that Kate will do everything possible not to upstage her sister.
After all, it wasn’t Pippa’s fault that her bottom became the focal point of Kate and Wills’ big day. That was down to Sarah Burton who designed her figurehugging Alexander McQueen bridesmaid dress and the pervy eye of the world’s press.
If anyone is in danger of stealing the limelight from poor Pip, it is without doubt a young American actress by the name of Meghan Markle. Unless your broadband has been on the blink for the last 12 months you must be aware of her. She is the girlfriend of Prince Harry and royal insiders (whoever they are) are convinced she’s The One.
She’s certainly enough of a one to swerve Pippa’s reported ‘no ring, no bring’ policy which is supposed to weed out plus-ones who are not married or engaged to invited guests.
As anyone who has seen her TV show Suits and the pencil skirts her on-screen alter ego legal eagle Rachel Zane squeezes herself into will attest (I really don’t know how she is able to sit down in them), Meghan has quite the body herself.
So far the 35-year-old has tried to keep a low profile and the closest we have had to a public appearance by her and Harry was a snatched kiss at the polo last week.
It means that a snap of the pretty brunette and Harry at Pippa’s wedding will undoubtedly be the prize pic for the paps today.
But I’m sure Meghan wouldn’t dream of giving Pippa the bum’s rush.