Royal wedding menus
London's restaurants and cafés have rolled up their sleeves to provide royal wedding-themed menus.
For great views of the wedding route, try the London Hilton Park Lane(020 7493 8000) Galvin at Windows restaurant and bar, on the 28th floor, is offering strawberry bellinis and a three-course lunch (April 26-29) at £45 per person. Alternatively, you can nibble on bride-and-groom cupcakes and royal blue macaroons at the Podium restaurant in the lobby, where they are serving Sapphire Tea – yes, named after Kate's engagement ring – from April 26 to May 1, from £33 per person.
Dukes Hotel in Mayfair will have a Champagne Afternoon Tea in its elegant drawing room, with wide-screen coverage of the wedding, buttered crumpets, warm scones, jam and cream, and, of course, bubbles. From £35pp (020 7318 6585).
The Langham Hotel on Portland Place has fine royal connections; it was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1865. During April, a Wedding Tea Royale in the Palm Court (020 7965 0195) costs £51.50 per person, including a glass of Laurent-Perrier NV.
Brumus at the Haymarket Hotel (just north of the route) will be serving royal confections such as a Queen of Hearts tart, filled with jam, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. A normal Haymarket Tea costs £21.95 per person
Not the royal wedding
Loathe the idea of the whole thing? Not to worry, there's plenty of scope for getting away from it all, even in London.
The Alternative Royal Wedding Reception at the Southbank Centre is part of the E4 Udderbelly Festival, with "comedy from cabaret royalty" at 7.45pm on the wedding day. Adults £19.50, concessions £18; access to the Magners Pasture area is free (over-18s only).
It is "business as usual" at St Paul's Cathedral : climb to the top gallery for superb views, with not a golden carriage to be seen.
Escape downriver with Thames Clippers and you will find a wedding-free riverscape (there's champagne on board, though).
The acerbic Marriage à la Mode – Royals and Commoners in and out of Love exhibition runs at the Cartoon Museum, Little Russell Street, WC1, until May 22 (020 7580 8155;
A large number of visitors are expected in central London on April 29
TRANSPORT for London has issued travel advice for people visiting London during the royal wedding.
A large number of visitors are expected in central London on April 29 and TfL is working with the government, Met police, Westminster Council and other agencies to ensure people travelling to and from the area can do so quickly and safely.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: “There is a real sense of excitement surrounding the royal wedding, and a great many people will be coming to central London to be a part of the various celebrations taking place.
Roads
The route of the wedding procession between Buckingham Palace and Westminster includes the Mall, Horse Guard’s Road, Horse Guard’s Arch, Whitehall and Parliament Square. These roads and surrounding areas will be subject to road closures and parking restrictions from 6am on April 29.
Buses
A number of bus services will be subject to diversions or will finish before their usual destination if they are unable to travel their usual routes through the affected part of central London. Diversions will begin at 5.30am. Bus users are advised to check the TfL website before they travel.
Tube
All Tube lines will be running, with no planned engineering work during the day. All of the stations close to the route of the procession will be open on the day, including Embankment, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Westminster, Hyde Park Corner and Green Park. As normal, station closures will be used if necessary to prevent over-crowding.
The lifts at Green Park are currently being refurbished and will not be available on the day. The nearest station with a lift is Westminster.
Watford and Croxley stations will not have a train service after 10pm on the evening although replacement buses will operate. A queuing system will be in place for access to London Underground station at Victoria. A similar system may be in place for access to the overland station at Charing Cross.
DLR / London Overground / Tramlink
The Dockland Light Railway, and London Tramlink will operate normal services throughout the day, with no planned engineering work. London Overground will run full services on all branches, except for on the section between Watford and Willesden Junction, which will be suspended for engineering works.
Special travel card for royal wedding
A limited edition Oyster card has been unveiled to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. 
A fake wedding by royal look-alikes held on the 1st Apr 2011. |
