Haggis, whisky and a piper... Pippa’s big day to be a proper Highland fling
(plus £40,000 worth of caviar donated by an anonymous Russian)
SHE makes no secret of her deep love for all things Scottish.
So, it was a fair bet Pippa Middleton’s lavish wedding to James Matthews tomorrow would, at the very least, reflect the fact Scotland has become a second home to her.
But the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister has gone one better – by opting for a fully Scottish-themed wedding, according to sources close to her family.
Guests at the wedding are set to enjoy a wealth of food sourced from the region around Glen Affric, Inverness-shire – where her husband-to-be James Matthews will one day be laird.
The menu includes haggis canapés and lamb, all washed down with whisky. The couple have even hired a piper for the occasion. ‘Everything will be Scottish in nature – bagpipes, the lot,’ said a source.
The idea behind the nuptials is in no small part due to 41-year-old James’s family connection with Scotland.
His father, David, a former mechanic who made a fortune through the car trade, owns a castle and 10,000-acre estate 15 miles from Loch Ness.
The estate, which he bought in 2008, came with the courtesy title of the Laird of Glen Affric, which will be inherited by James.
Friends say Pippa, who studied at Edinburgh University, and her fiance have a strong affection for Scotland and often spend time at the estate.
The Matthews family’s title even comes with its own red and green tartan, which James could wear at his wedding.
Sources could not confirm whether he will wear a kilt, but said they believe the tartan will be incorporated in his outfit.
Some 17lb of beluga caviar has been given from an anonymous Russian donor, costing £40,000, which will also be incorporated into the canapés, our sources say.
Pippa has been involved in every aspect of the menu and has chosen all the food herself.
The event is being overseen by Fait Accomplit, an international event company beloved by celebrities, with all the catering provided by society favourite Table Talk. Pippa, 33, used to work for them when her sister was still Kate Middleton.
Table Talk has also supplied the 30-strong staff working on the night, say family friends.
Pippa is understood to have personally vetted all the waiters and waitresses. All staff have been forced to sign confidentiality agreements and will have to give up their phones on the day.
Pippa has also planned a host of surprises for their guests, including table tennis tables in the £100,000 glass marquee erected at the Middletons’ family home – because it is her favourite sport.
Not every aspect of the wedding comes with an eye-watering price tag.
The Middleton family have been given a fleet of up to 50 top-of-the-range cars by Jaguar Land Rover to ferry around their guests, it is understood. The British car company has loaned a fleet of Range Rovers to transport guests from the village hall in Bucklebury, Berkshire, to the family house.
Asked for details about the cars, Jaguar Land Rover declined to comment.
But a village source said: ‘There will be a fleet of 50 Range Rovers which Jaguar Land Rover will be letting them use for the day, for free. The cars will be used to take guest from the village hall car park up to the house.’
Yesterday, with just two days to go, several dozen vans and lorries arrived at the Middleton family home, as well as the nearby village of Englefield, where the ceremony will take place, as preparations gathered pace.
Among them was a van from Jones Hire, a premier catering rental company, providing tableware, furniture and kitchen equipment for ‘prestigious’ events.
The company holds two Royal Warrants for the Queen and Prince Charles.
There was also a juggernaut from Starlight Design, which boasts 30 years’ experience creating events that go ‘beyond spectacular’ and specialise in lighting and sound, including fireworks.
It is understood that a firm which has worked with Prince Harry, Boultbee Flight Academy, will be organising Pippa’s vintage aircraft fly-past, which will feature two Spitfires, and is estimated to be costing around £20,000.
The air display, featuring aerobatics, will take place between 7.15pm and 8pm.
‘Pippa and James have an affection for Scotland’