What, When, Where: The Unauthorized Royal Registry

May 2, 2011

By Kara Lashley

If you were following the royal wedding spectacle last week–and don’t pretend that you weren’t–you know that Prince William and his bride shunned traditional gifts, instead asking their 600-some guests to make donations to charity. While the couple’s altruism is admirable, don’t you wonder what unusual and extravagant presents might have poured in from around the world? (For their 1981 wedding, Prince Charles and Lady Diana received more than 6,000 gifts, including a roomful of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Canadian furniture, a broadloom carpet of New Zealand wool and a jewel-encrusted model of an Arabian sailing dhow.)

Yes, times are tough, but if ever there’s an occasion for lavish, over-the-top gifting, it’s a royal wedding. So, if you’d like to send William and Kate a token of your affection, I’ve taken the liberty of assembling a small registry on their behalf.

Exquisite bed linens: You can’t go wrong with the understated luxury of Leron‘s new A Jour bedding collection. The silk charmeuse coverlet looks like hammered metal but feels so much softer.

Photo courtesy of Leron

A fabulous chaise: Before they assume the throne, the lovebirds will need something else to snuggle up on, like the plush Royal Marco chaise from Old Hickory Tannery.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

A gold-plated pitcher: Georg Jensen‘s Koppel pitcher in 24-karat gold would make a splendid, sculptural addition to the royal table.

Photo courtesy of Georg Jensen

A peacock wallcovering: As modest and down to earth as they may be, William and Kate ought to feather at least one wall of their nest with these insanely regal wall panels from Schumacher.

Photo courtesy of Schumacher

A sexy headboard: A little bit bordello, a little bit Buckingham Palace, this sumptuous bed by Christopher Guy might not meet with the Queen’s approval.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Guy

A serious chandelier: For a truly opulent gift, consider the Zenith Midnight chandelier, designed by Philippe Starck for Baccarat. The dark blue crystal evokes Kate’s sapphire engagement ring, while the denim lampshades nod to the couple’s laid-back style.

Photo courtesy of Baccarat

Michael Wainwright hummus set: The Prince and Princess are no doubt up to their ears in sterling silver tea services, but do they have a gilded hummus set? I think not.