- Title: Merchandise fit for a Prince to boost British economy
- Date: 9th March 2018
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 8, 2018) (REUTERS) COMMEMORATIVE PLATE AND CUP WITH HENRY AND MEGHAN, 19TH MAY 2018 HALCYON DAYS SHOW ROOM WITH COMMEMORATIVE CROCKERY ON DISPLAY HALCYON DAYS BOX/HENRY AND MEGHAN CUP AND SAUCER VARIOUS TEXT INSIDE SMALL BOX READING "IN CELEBRATION OF THE MARRIAGE OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE 19TH MAY 2018 STOKE-
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2018 08:50
- Keywords: Prince Harry Meghan Markle Royal Wedding UK Economy Royal merchandise luxury gifts
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/STOKE-ON-TRENT,ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/STOKE-ON-TRENT,ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA001865H45J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: After nearly 70 years of producing royal merchandise, British luxury gift manufacturer Halcyon Days is hoping the upcoming wedding of Britain's Prince Harry and his American fiancee Meghan Markle will be a happy one for them as well as the bride and groom.
The wedding, set for May 19 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, could be worth as much as one billion pounds ($1.38 billion) to the UK economy according to one estimate. Halcyon Days expects its sales to receive a boost of between 10 to 15 percent.
At the Halcyon Days ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent, a city in central England famed for the production of pottery, porcelains, and bone china, the firm is busy manufacturing a range of mugs, plates, teapots to commemorate the marriage.
Clay casters and gilders have been caught up in the excitement surrounding the royal wedding.
"In some ways it's a normal day in the office but we also realise, you know, what we are producing is for the Royal collection. So we're quite proud of it," said Steve Mason who has been a caster for 49 years.
The firm is one of only fourteen to hold royal warrants - a certificate for providing goods and services to the royal households - from the queen, her husband Prince Philip and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles.
"There's a huge opportunity for us to merchandise product around events like this," said Pamela Harper, Halcyon Days' chief executive.
"I think it's there for all to see how important, joyous, national events like this can bring very good things to the life of the nation whether that's in the tourism industry, or for hotels and restaurants, hospitality, or for small businesses like ours," she added.
Since the engagement was announced last November, there has been huge media attention focused on the couple, with Harry, the fifth-in-line to the throne, one of the most popular members of the British royal family and Markle, an actress known for her role in U.S. TV drama "Suits".
"We believe that the overall value to the UK economy is going to be just over a billion pounds," said Richard Haigh, managing director of brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.
"We originally estimated it would be about 500 million back in January but considering the excitement in the last couple of months, we've revised that up," he added.
Halcyon Days has produced a number of commemorative collections ahead of the royal wedding, including a ribbon-themed set and a "Special Relationship" collection combining the U.S. and the British national flags.
"It's part and parcel of who we are," said Harper. "There's been a huge amount of interest in the wedding. It's absolutely really positive for the economy as a whole, definitely." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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