Whether you’re an Anglophile or just looking for an excuse to get your party on, here’s how you can celebrate the occasion.
It’s a fairy tale that couldn’t have been better scripted by Hollywood if it tried: American actress (and Northwestern alum) Meghan Markle will marry her British prince, Henry Charles Albert David, aka Harry, on May 19.
Whether you’re an Anglophile or just looking for an excuse to get your party on, here’s how to celebrate the royal wedding Chicago-style.
A number of viewing parties, including a shindig at the Drake, have already sold out, but for folks capable of socializing pre-dawn, R Public House in Rogers Park is opening its doors at 5:45 a.m. The bar, 1508 W. Jarvis, will be serving tea and scones.
No judgment against those who watch while wearing their PJs but if you want to play along at home, a wackadoodle hat is an absolute must for the ladies. (See: the “toilet seat” hat Princess Beatrice wore to Will and Kate’s wedding in 2011.)
Neiman-Marcus has a terrific selection of toppers by some of the Royal Family’s go-to milliners — Jane Taylor, Rachel Trevor Morgan and Philip Treacy — with price tags fit for a queen.
Crafty commoners will want to check out budget friendly DIY fascinator options. Don’t know your way around a hot glue gun? Shop Susan Hat, 7231 N. Sheridan. We’re partial to the goth sun hat, perfect for a spring wedding.
Guys get off easy, per usual. We think a top hat or bowler, like the ones sold at Goorin in Wicker Park, would look brilliant, but according to etiquette experts, the Queen would not be amused. Just be sure to polish your shoes, fellas.
To keep the party going stateside, treat yourself (after a much-needed power nap) to that most British of traditions, afternoon tea, which is offered at a surprising number of places in Chicago.
The next best thing to being in London is tea at LondonHouse Chicago, 85 E. Wacker, served daily 1-4 p.m. in the Bridges Lounge. Reservations are recommended.
Cafe Coralie, with locations at 600 Davis Street and 633 Howard Street, serves tea near Meghan’s old Northwestern stomping grounds, noon to 4 p.m. daily. As a royal wedding special, the cafe is taking orders through Thursday for a lemon-elderflower-blackberry cake, $24. .
To host a tea at home, pick up scones at Wicker Park’s Scone City, 1632 W. Division. A dozen mini scones cost $20, with gluten-free and vegan options available.
For home bakers, recipes abound online for lemon-elderflower repli-cakes, most of which are insanely complicated. That’s why Meghan and Harry are leaving the job to American expat Claire Ptak, who trained under Alice Waters. We recommend, instead, this simple loaf cake recipe we found at The Kitchn. Style it with peonies, Meghan’s favorite flower, for an added royal touch.
If pub grub is more your style, head to the Red Lion Lincoln Square, 4749 N. Rockwell St., where you can enjoy fish ‘n’ chips and pints of British beer surrounded by photos of Queen Victoria and QEII bobbleheads.
To toast the couple at home, skip the champagne and pour your guests glasses of Meghan’s favorite wine, Antinori Tignanello. She named her lifestyle blog Tig after this Tuscan red, stocked at Binny’s Beverage Depot locations across the city, $94.99 per bottle. (For those who don’t have a princess budget or the budget of an actress on a mid-tier basic cable TV show, a chianti from the same winery will only set you back $20.)
During a 2014 promotional stop in Chicago for her show “Suits,” Meghan confessed to frequenting Evanston’s 24-hour Burger King as an undergrad. To treat yourself to a late-night meal fit for a princess, we’re guessing she meant the BK at 1740 Orrington Road.
Soho House’s Chicken Shop is equipped with a rotisserie for chicken just in case you want to mirror Meghan and Harry’s proposal story, in which the prince allegedly popped the question while the two were roasting a chicken. Bring your own ring.
