Five weirdest Harry and Meghan royal wedding souvenirs
From Harry and Meghan comic books to ‘crown jewels’ condoms
Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle is only a few days away, and if you want to remember the big day with a souvenir, you’ve got no shortage of options.
Royal watchers can snap up all the traditional memorabilia you’d expect, with souvenir shops stocked up on plates, mugs and tea towels emblazoned with images of the smiling couple.
However, there are also plenty of more inventive attempts to cash in on the royal wedding. Here are our five favourite ‘alternative’ commemorations of the big day.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Prince of the pool
“Have I seen those Harry and Meghan swimming costumes?” is not a question that anyone will ever ask, because once you’ve seen them, their image is indelibly imprinted onto your brain.
Online printing service Bags of Love has capitalised on the royal wedding frenzy by using photographs of the royal couple as an example of how users can create custom gifts for friends and family.
We don’t know what it is - the stretched features, the extreme close-ups, the placement of Harry’s chin - but these costumes are uniquely horrifying. The only upside is that they could definitely clear a crowded pool.
Royal wedding night
It had to happen. A company calling itself Crown Jewels is selling commemorative Harry and Meghan condoms. Slogan? “Your prince will come.”
The box, decorated with a photo of the couple, reportedly plays God Save The Queen and The Star-Spangled Banner as a nod to the couple’s origins.
But before you lose yourself in an erotic royal idyll, the pragmatic South China Morning Post notes that “the lavish descriptions for this ‘condom of regal luxury’ are somewhat undercut by the warning: ‘This is a novelty product, not for use as a contraceptive’.”
Harry and Meghan: the comic book
What do the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Jack the Ripper and Harry and Meghan have in common? They have all been immortalised in a graphic novel.
Royals: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle tells the story of the couple whose unconventional romance has captured the public imagination.
“Has the younger son of Charles, the Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales found love with a feisty American actress?” asks the book’s Amazon blurb. Without wanting to spoil the ending, you can probably take a punt on the answer.
Valley of the dolls
If it wasn’t for the names, you might struggle to identify this pair as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle:
The 18-inch dolls, the work of New Jersey history enthusiast and Etsy seller Shirley Corsey, were roundly ridiculed on social media for their lack of similarity to Harry and his bride.
Following the storm of media attention, a chastened Corsey reworked the dolls to bear at least a passing resemblance to their subject - Harry now has red hair rather than dark brown, for instance - although they are still just as creepy.
The ‘Megharrycino’
This one isn’t technically a souvenir in the sense that it you’d struggle to treasure it for years to come, but it deserves attention for sheer artistry (not a phrase frequently applied to royal wedding memorabilia).
Heidi’s bakery in Windsor is selling limited edition royal wedding coffees with an intricate portrait of the happy couple sitting atop each cup.
Made with a special machine, the photorealistic latte art puts the fern leaves and love-hearts of the average high-street cafe in the shade.
It also offers royal fans another advantage, as one customer who spoke to Reuters jokingly told his wife: “That’s the nearest to a kiss you’re going to get from Harry.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Is Prince Harry planning a royal comeback?
In the Spotlight Duke of Sussex looking to repair relationship with King Charles and 'rehabilitate' his image back in UK
By The Week UK Published
-
Prince Harry returns to mark 10 years of Invictus – but he won't see the King
Speed Read Duke of Sussex will not see his father during London visit 'due to His Majesty's full programme'
By Hollie Clemence, The Week UK Published
-
Prince Harry: judge rules 'extensive' phone hacking carried out by Mirror Group papers
Speed Read High Court rules in Duke's favour as he urges police investigation, claiming editors lied under oath at Leveson Inquiry
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The 'royal racists' row: a tawdry PR stunt?
Talking Point Dutch translator said she merely translated Endgame manuscript she was given
By The Week UK Published
-
Prince Harry back in court: a guide to the Duke of Sussex's latest legal battles
The Explainer The 'most litigious' royal currently involved in cases against three major publishers as well as the Home Office
By The Week UK Published
-
Endgame: Omid Scobie's latest book taking aim at the royals
Why Everyone's Talking About The King 'comes in for a walloping' in new royal exposé
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What does the royal family actually do?
feature From official state duties to charitable pursuits, most of the royals keep themselves busy
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Meghan and Harry: the end of their $20m Spotify deal
Talking Point The axing of Archetypes isn’t just about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
By The Week Staff Published