Royal appointment on the streets of Camden

Published: 5th May, 2011
by PAVAN AMARA and KARINA WHALLEY

THEY dined on Scottish smoked salmon and quails’ eggs in the grandeur of the palace walls, but beyond the perfectly manicured lawns and clinking champagne glasses, beer cans and burger cartons were the order of the day. 

The rich and the famous afforded flawlessly pressed gowns, but on the buzzing streets outside, a silly frock accessorised with a flag was the only requirement.

Royal wedding frenzy had reached a crescendo by Friday, as thousands of people packed parties throughout the borough to celebrate the long-awaited union of Prince William and the freshly anointed Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. 

The spread of wedding fever triggered predictable bouts of excitement across Hampstead, Belsize Park, Camden Town, Kentish Town and beyond. 

Elaine Loughran, 43, organised a bash at Hampstead’s King William IV and says the pub’s name attracted attention from international media including CNN, Fox news and Sky news. 

“The name has been a real spinner for us,” said Ms Loughran. 

“The ring getting stuck got a huge laugh. It was probably nerves. Everyone gets nervous on their wedding day, but can you imagine two billion people watching you?”

Candida Flitcroft, 52, from Camden Town, named her son after Prince William in September 1982. 

She said: “I had my son at the same time as William was born. I thought ‘Oh my God, my son will share the same horoscope as the prince.’ By the time they had announced they were naming him William, I had already taken a liking to James, so I decided to make it James-William. They’re both very similar – very gentle souls.”

Over at the Lambolle Road party in Belsize Park, Elaine Rawson, mother of N-Dubz star Richard “Fazer” Rawson, said: “William and Kate make the perfect couple.”

Bloomsbury held more festivities, with The Duke pub in Doughty Mews holding a public barbecue and “Friday I’m In Love” singing competition.

Brendon James, 27, from Kentish Town, was apparently too busy to watch the ceremony. 

“I’d never sit down and watch the whole thing properly – I doubt there are any guys out there who did that. Or they wouldn’t admit it anyway. 

“Maybe I did sit down and watch the whole thing, and weep into my hanky, but I’m never going to admit it. Can you imagine what would happen to my reputation?”