Middletons go home £250 000 poorer

Goring Hotel yesterday. . . . perhaps thinking: “And about time, too.”
As speculation intensifies over the family’s wealth, inquiries have revealed that the wedding has cost them at least £250 000.
The bill for the exclusive hire of the 71-room hotel near Buckingham Palace is estimated at £85 000 alone. The Royal Suite, where Kate spent her last nights as a single woman is so exclusive, it has not been officially priced. But the 200-strong crowd that cheered the family outside the hotel did not detect any regrets as they headed for their chauffeur-driven car, waving and smiling. Pippa, 27 – carrying a bag and wearing skin-tight white jeans that accentuated the derriere that has inspired many Facebook tribute sites – led out her parents Carole and Michael and younger brother James, 23.
They emerged two hours after the last of their friends and relatives had left the hotel following a bash attended by Prince Harry and his on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
The pair arrived after William and Kate’s party at Buckingham Palace ended early yesterday. The Middletons’ two-day block booking of The Goring, including palatial suites and a dining room designed by the Queen’s nephew David Linley, would have required a credit facility of hundreds of thousands of pounds. One night in the ‘splendid silk room’ costs £1 525, plus 20 percent VAT. The family is also estimated to have paid £25 000 for two parties at the hotel. On Thursday, Kate treated 120 friends and family to a buffet. And after Friday’s ceremony, Carole and Michael hosted an extravagant wedding party for a wider circle. Beluga caviar on The Goring restaurant menu is £400 for 100g while a bottle of Dom Perignon can cost £1 530.
Even if some Middleton guests paid for their rooms and the family secured a discount they will still be facing a bill approaching £100 000.
Last night the hotel said the terms of the booking were private. Kate’s bridal gown, designed by Sarah Burton, is said to have cost up to £40 000.
Carole’s outfit by Catherine Walker would have cost £10 000 and Pippa’s dress, also by Sarah Burton, about £20 000.
Kate’s earrings, from Robinson Pelham, are believed to have set her parents back £15 000.
A pendant and earrings for Carole, earrings for Pippa and gold tie sticks for Michael and James cost about £30 000.
The bridal shoes, designed at Alexander McQueen, and bridal flowers would have cost at least £3 000.
Morning suits for Michael and James, by Gieves & Hawkes, would have cost £10 000. The Middletons would have also paid for suits and dresses for the evening, costing up to £20 000.
Kate’s earrings, from Robinson Pelham, are believed to have set her parents back £15 000
The family, who have an online party-planning business, may also have made a £10 000 contribution to celebrations at the Palace. Charles will pay for the bulk of the honeymoon but the Middletons are expected to make a contribution.
The Queen is aware of the impact the wedding has had on the Middletons’ finances. The embarrassment caused by Sarah Ferguson’s financial woes is a reminder of how a cash crisis can harm the Royals’ reputation.
As the Middleton business is run as a partnership the family’s unpublished finances, including profits and losses, are shrouded in secrecy.
Chas Roy-Chowdhury, of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, said a £250 000 figure indicates the Middletons have little trouble raising big sums.
But he added: “They have had enough notice between the engagement and the wedding to reschedule any debts or restructure mortgages. So while I don’t think their contribution will have impoverished them, it may have left them significantly worse off.”
There were no crowds as the Middletons returned to Bucklebury, Berkshire – just two police guards at the gate. – Daily Mail.