From pies to condoms: the British royal wedding cash cow

From plates and pies to underwear and condoms, retailers are gearing up to cash in on the upcoming wedding of Britain's Prince William to Kate Middleton.

Whether it's manufacturers of specialist china, or novelty items, or even the company founded by Middleton's mother, shops and businesses are looking to make the most of the couple's big day on April 29.

"Every time there's a royal wedding or a coronation or anything like that, everybody suddenly decides, I think I'll manufacture a few mugs or tea towels or whatever it happens to be," said royal biographer Christopher Wilson.

"They've been doing that for centuries. It's a boost for the economy. People will make these things and people will buy them."

Image: Kate Bevan, a lookalike of Kate Middleton, the fiancee of Britain's Prince William, poses for a photograph with a knitted toy inspired by the forthcoming royal wedding, at a toy fair, in London January 25, 2011.

Text: Reuters

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