Prince Harry has planned a secret ‘survivors’ post-wedding breakfast’ at Buckingham Palace for VIP guests who have partied through the night. The 26-year-old, who is calling his part of the Royal Wedding planning ‘wedmin’, is said to be heavily involved with arrangements for the evening celebrations and wants to give William and his bride a party to remember.
Three of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will be converted into a nightclub on the night of the wedding and Harry, who is best man, has organised for the DJ to play into the early hours, while caterers have been briefed to prepare bacon sandwiches and fry-ups for those guests still standing at the end of the night.
And although the bride and groom may not manage to stay up – they are leaving for their honeymoon the next morning – Harry, known for his partying stamina at nightclubs Raffles and Boujis, hopes many of their friends will be dancing until dawn.
The Prince has played a significant role in planning the evening celebrations, which are being hosted by his father Prince Charles.
Just 300 guests have been invited to the exclusive party, which includes a drinks reception from 7pm followed by a dinner and speeches and then dancing.
Charles and Camilla, who have arranged for a performance by Bollywood dance duo Sandip Soparrkar and his wife Jesse Randhawa, have asked around 100 family and friends, while the bride and groom have invited 200 friends from school and university and Prince William’s ‘Glosse Posse’ set from Gloucestershire.
Sources close to William and Harry have instructed aides to plan a proper ‘knees up’, and courtiers are expecting it to carry on into the next day.
Charles has hired chef Anton Mosimann to prepare the three-course meal while party planners Fait Accompli are understood to be overseeing the entertainment. A bar will serve spirits, cocktails and champagne all night.
Caterers have been told they will be working a double shift to cook up breakfasts the following morning.
‘Harry has organised a survivors’ breakfast at 6am in the Palace after the party. It will mostly be their best friends from Gloucestershire who have known William his whole life.
‘It won’t be for the oldies, but the young ones. Harry is determined to make this a night to remember.’
Harry has been assisted by the princes’ close friend Guy Pelly, who owns Fulham nightclub Public and previously ran Mayfair haunt Mahiki.
The couple have organised for guests to enjoy ‘treasure chest’ cocktails – a potent mixture of rum and champagne served in a chest.
A rum do: Guests will enjoy 'treasure chest' cocktails - a potent mixture of rum and champagne
‘Harry has asked Guy to get involved to up the standard,’ a friend said. ‘He has become obsessed with the planning, which he calls “wedmin”. ‘He’s helped with the seating plans to make sure everyone mingles and gets along and has spent hours writing the best man’s speech. He wants to get it just right, with plenty of gags but also heart-felt sentiment.’
Harry and Pelly have also compiled a soundtrack for the night including rap songs by William’s favourite artists Kanye West, Tinie Tempah and Jay Z. But as the 300 palace guests party alongside the newlyweds, others attending the wedding won’t be so lucky.
It was suggested last night that William and Kate won’t have time to appear at an alternative reception arranged by the bride’s parents at plush Belgravia hotel The Goring.
Carole and Michael Middleton’s party is for their friends who are invited to the wedding but not the palace. Kate’s parents will go on to their own party after the Wedding Breakfast, before heading back to the Palace for the evening celebrations.
Meanwhile, William and Kate were said to be ‘overjoyed’ as it was revealed they were likely to raise £500,000 for charity after shunning wedding gifts.
Well-wishers were asked to donate to the specially set up Royal Wedding Charity Fund, supporting 26 groups helping the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation.
source:dailymail