22 January,2011 07:32 AM IST | | Agencies
Two of the favorite pastimes in Britain royal-watching and betting are morphing into one raucous market centered on the royal wedding.
Prince William and Kate Middleton aren't even married yet that will take place April 29 but some Britons are already betting they will end up getting divorced.
Bookies are placing bets on how long will Kate take to reach Westminister Abbey and how long the train of her dress will be
The odds are unlikely, the topic is disrespectful but when two people disagree on a subject, it's time to lay some money down.
"There's a real tradition of betting on what the royals will do next," said Darren Haines, a spokesman for bookmaker Paddy Power. "The UK has a strange fascination with the royals."
One of the most popular wagers for the past several years has been on if, when and where Kate and Wills would marry.
After news of their engagement broke in November, the when as in, what month brought in 30,000 pounds (Rs 22 lakh) worth of bets for Ladbrokes, spokesman Alex Donohue said.
With those questions answered, bookmakers are looking to capitalise on the royal wedding mania by adding novelty bets before more details emerge. The market is small now, but expected to swell as the big day draws near.
Will she walk into Westminster Abbey right on time, be three minutes late, or make guests wait 11 minutes for a glimpse? How long will the train of her dress be?
Gamblers are invited to place bets on all the above.
Most bookmakers are running a variation of the divorce question, with almost certain odds that the couple will make it to their 10th anniversary.
London retiree Lisa Barret thinks that's an "awful idea" for a market.
"You don't gamble on something like someone's marriage," the 55-year-old said while out shopping for groceries in London.
Bookmakers beg to differ and are eagerly considering suggestions for additions to the wedding special options as April 29 approaches.
London accountant Rana Theva is not surprised by the betting fervor.
Bets are still open on the location of William's stag party and who his bachelor brother Prince Harry will take to the wedding as his date.
But the royal wedding market gives the country's betting houses a rare chance to draw in female customers.
Diddy makes wedding bid
Rapper P Diddy says he is "just a phone call away" if Prince William wants him to play at the royal wedding.
The star, currently in the UK promoting his album Last Train To Paris, also said he wanted to have lunch with the Queen. Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, said, "I'm cool with adding to Prince William's festivities. Whatever I can do to contribute. I'm just a phone call away."
