Royal Wedding Trivia: How much does a royal wedding cost to insure?

Royal Wedding Trivia!

How much does a royal wedding cost to insure in the UK?

[Apr. 28]

Prince William and Kate Middleton getting married is one of the biggest media stories since the tragic marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Scores of journalist from around the globe are lining the streets of London at this hour looking for a unique story angle to tell. As far as royal wedding trivia goes, most of the bio stories are about Kate Middleton and her family. As far as weddings go, they are not the cheapest occasion and can cost a fortune for even the thriftiest of couples. While in the United States it is a custom for the family of the bride to foot the bill for the wedding, in the UK — at least for Prince William — it will be his family paying the larger share of the wedding bill.

Why?

Because the royal wedding will have a viewing gallery of millions as cameras from all corners of the globe converge on Westminster Abbey, London, on April 29th, 2011 — and security alone will be an enormous bill to pay. However, when it comes to planning events of such a great magnitude as a wedding — royal or otherwise — sometimes it pays to spend a few extra dollars to protect the day.

The Royal Family are not known for their austerity measures, so their need for insurance could save them from a disaster in fornt of the world’s prying eyes. That is where an insurance agent quote can come in handy — and why we here at GCN have welcomed a special guest post from Autonet Insurance to help us quote some fast fact and historical trivia about the cost to insure a royal wedding in the UK.

The following excerpts are from a post by the folks at Autonet that details approximate estimated the Royal family will have to pay to insure Prince William and Kate Middleton have a happy wedding day.

Check out their infographic about COST TO INSURE THE ROYAL WEDDING here.

Royal Wedding Insurance

Car/royal coach insurance – £25,000,000

Remember the attack on the car containing Prince Charles and his beautiful wife Camilla? It just so happens that William and Kate are using the same one – a Rolls Royce Phantom VI. It is already expensive to insure – more so without the no-claims bonus. They also leave in the 1902 State Landau that carried Charles and Diana after marriage in 1981, too – £25,000,000 is a good deal to cover both.

Terrorist attack insurance – £100,000,000

It is only natural that people want to target the royals at a time when the government is watching its back and keeping terror alerts high. Quintessential Britishness is represented by the royal family, making them a top target, though the police and CCTV – our national obsession – handily lowers this insurance cost.

Pet insurance for the Queen’s six corgis – £30,000

Pembroke Welsh corgis are not particularly cheap. Owned by British royalty for 70-plus years, they’ll be invited to the wedding; they’re family, too. Still, the affectionate little blighters follow their owners around and the hustle and bustle of the ceremony may affect their safety, especially in an unplanned can-can.

Dress insurance – £5,000,000

Kate could do a runner and the dress may take light-to-heavy corgi damage. Jealous onlookers may bring scissors or ink to undermine her beauty. Naked flames, meanwhile, are not fabric’s best friend. Whichever designer she goes with, it will be expensive; however, value will shoot up after the event. Naturally, it’s up to Kate to extend her policy after the marriage.

Jewellery insurance – £15,000,000

All modern princes and princesses will have rings and wedding jewellery that is nothing short of priceless. There is therefore a necessity for protection against damage, theft and loss. Tiaras cost plenty to look after, but add the cost of any other jewellery for patrons like the Queen (who already has enough bling as it is) and £15,000,000 is a good deal.

Kidnap insurance – £100,000,000

Kidnapping may be a long shot, but if criminals know how to commandeer a horse-drawn carriage and outrun the police, it might just happen. Nobody wants William and Kate to spend their honeymoon tied up in a basement. £100,000,000 is a bargain when you consider how high the ransom would be and an insurance payout could avoid a finger being sent in the post.

Media liability insurance – £10,000,000

Always on the royals’ “You’re not invited to the party” list are journalists. These undercover agents have levels of deviousness that transcend the MI6 network. As such, insurance must cover upset that photographs and write-ups may present, as well as any damage inflicted along the way.

Holiday insurance for the honeymoon – £1,000,000

The post-wedding break shortlist includes Australia, New Zealand, Croatia and the Isles of Scilly. No-one knows where they’re going, though; there’s plenty of chance they will have problems with a volcano in Montserrat or a hurricane on a Pacific island. Lost luggage would also be a nightmarish principle for William and Kate, especially with militant eBay sellers on the prowl for new goods. Here, insurance is very necessary.

Wedding cancellation cover – £100,000,000

This whole wedding escapade may not even happen. Jealousy-based subterfuge could halt proceedings, as could the odd bomb threat or natural disaster. Kate could leg it. William may decide he prefers a bridesmaid. It is an insurance payment worth investing in, either way – imagine the money lost through unused fresh food, drink and flowers alone.

The Average Wedding insurance cost in the uk is £50 This would cover a couple for £16,000 worth of damages.

Comparing previous royal weddings

1973PRINCESS ANNEMarried
MARK PHILLIPS

£750,000
1981Prince CharlesMarried
lady Diana Spencer

£5,000,000
1986Prince AndrewMarried
Sarah ferguson

£3,000,000
2005Prince CharlesMarried
Camilla

Parker bowles

£150,000,00
2011Prince williamMarried
catherine middleton

£271,030,000

References

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: AUTONET INSURANCE GROUP

Autonet Insurance is part of the Autonet Insurance Group, which are trading styles of Autonet Insurance Services Limited. Registered in England No. 3642372. Registered Office Nile Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2BA. Member of the institute of Insurance Brokers. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority, under firm reference number 308213, you may check this on the FSA register by visiting the FSA website, www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 6061234.

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