A Royal Engagement

By Meredith Barnett
November 22, 2010

Britain's Prince William and his fiancée The announcement of Prince William's engagement to longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton last week was met with both speculation ("At last!" "What will she wear?!" "When will it be?") and, not surprisingly, an online selling frenzy on eBay, where anything having to do with royal family memorabilia is always big business. On eBay, minutes after the royal engagement was announced, there were 76 listings with the term "Kate Middleton" and 1799 with "Prince William." As of today, Kate's listings have more than tripled to 235, while Prince William's collectables have jumped 17 percent to 2101.

Left: Britain's Prince William and his fiancée (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Mickey Boardman, the Creative Director of Paper magazine, whose penchant for royal family memorabilia we've covered previously on The Inside Source, told me the following when I asked him about the royal engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton: "A Royal Engagement is to monarchists what the Super Bowl is to Sports Fans. It doesn't get any bigger! Of course this has the added bonus of Prince William being the son of Diana, Princess of Wales, the most popular royal ever. I'll have my eye out for quality merchandise, maybe Wedgewood or some china company will do something. A friend in Sweden got me lots of Crown Princess Victoria engagement memorabilia which I love. A tasteful commemorative dish is really the best thing. I'm not a fan of bobble heads or goofy souvenirs! I want it to be something that you will look fancy and fabulous in fifty years!"

Here are a few pieces of royal family memorabilia — all fit for a princess — you can find on eBay right now.

Prince William Kate Middleton Royal Wedding Mug

(buy it now price, approx. $7.96)

Be like the Brits and drink strong tea with milk—in a cup commemorating the royal engagement, and the first time a royal has married a commoner in 350 years!
Kate Middleton Prince Diana Engagement Ring

(buy it now price, approx. $79.74)

Wills gave Kate his mother's engagement ring, an oval blue, 18-carat sapphire ring encircled by 14 diamonds. "It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today," the Prince said. Score this replica for a mere $80.
Prince William Kate Middleton Engagement Thimble

(buy it now price, $3.17)

Royalty thimbles are a popular (and old school) collectors' item. Grab one of these to add to your grandmother's collection.
1986 People Magazine Prince William

(buy it now price, $3.50)

Wills and Kate are on the cover of every tabloid in every country. Here's a vintage copy of a People magazine from 1986, with little William on the cover.
Issa Engagement Dress

(starting bid, approx. $797. 60)

Middleton wore British designer Issa to announce her enagement. The (appropriately) royal blue dress, now sold out, is reportedly available here on eBay.
Kate Middleton Engagement Tea Bag Tidy

(current bid, aprprox. $6.70)

A commemorative tea bag tidy—so perfect! So British!
Royal Engagment Mousepad

(buy it now price, $11.99)

Mr. Mickey would most certainly not approve of this royal engagement mousepad.
Royal Doulton Queen Elizabeth II Figurine

(buy it now price, approx. $1968)

While you're at it, commemorate the Wills' Grandma too, with this collectible figuring, made to honor the 20th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
Princess Diana Stamps

(buy it now price, $600)

There are almost 9,000 listings for Princess Diana on eBay. These collectible stamps feature then young Princess and her new family.