It’s not often we have a Royal Wedding to celebrate and with a lavish occasion so grand as His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle themselves, being thousands of miles away from all the action is not an excuse for us to stop joining in on the wedding festivities!

So what’s happening around Dubai and where’s the best places to watch the action on the big screen? We’ve rounded up some of the most brilliant spots that are all set to make us Brits proud!

The Windsor Afternoon Tea and a Grooms Room for the men at Ritz Carlton, Dubai

First up is the opulent Ritz-Carlton Dubai who invite their Royal Wedding guests to join in a red, white and blue frenzy as they lay on a perfectly regal Afternoon Tea in an ode to the Royal couple. This dazzling spot in JBR is surrounded by a shining crown of skyscrapers, and is offering an aptly named Windsor Afternoon Tea that includes everything you’d expect to be reminiscent of a British street party – and more!

You’ll discover speciality pairings such as Coronation chicken, cucumber and cream cheese of course, and you can round off the desserts with home cooked favourites such as Battenberg cake, Bakewell tart, cherry trifle and warm scones with lick-lipping clotted cream from Cornwall.

There might not be Royal Footmen in Dubai but The Ritz’s white-gloved Lobby Butlers and Ambassadors will be setting out to wine and dine you with a rich menu that includes premium, free flowing champagne to celebrate!

Over vibrant conversations and an enhanced screening of the all-important wedding proceedings, the gentlemen have not been forgotten either as the Ritzs’ Library Bar will transform into a “grooms room” with the opportunity to congregate over British malts and cigars, and a specially crafted menu featuring savories that the guys will love.

When: Saturday 19th May 2018 from 2pm until 6pm

Price: Afternoon Tea is AED 195 including soft beverages and unlimited tea infusions

Royal Afternoon Tea is AED 495 including free flowing Champagne and The Gentlemens’ Treat is AED 295 per person inclusive of 3 malt selections. Children below 5 are free of charge, while 6 to 12 years dine at 50% off.

To book: Email dine.dubai@ritzcarlton.com, visit ritzcarlton.com/dubai or call +971 4 318 6150

Up close with the Royal Family at Al Fayrooz Lounge, Jumeirah Al Qasr

Here’s another excuse to dress up to the nines and celebrate in a  place that’s a ‘palace’ of your very own. The sumptuous Jumeirah Al Qasr is laying on a quintessentially British occasion with all the trimmings and elegance you’d expect from the Royal Wedding of the year, that will be worthy of His Royal Highnesses charismatic seal of approval.

The talented Al Fayrooz pastry chefs will be serving up an endless amount of divine treats that include miniature wedding cakes fit for the Prince and his new Princess and every attendee will get to take home, gorgeous goodies as a souvenir to savour the occasion.

Every moment of the wedding will be on display on sixty-inch screens, meaning you’ll have an excellent view of it all while the palatial marble interiors of Jumeirah Al Qasr will ensure that your eyes are pleased no matter where they wander.

When: Saturday 19th May 2018 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm

Price: AED 345 per person for the Royal Afternoon Tea that includes a glass of Champagne to toast the newlyweds or AED 240 per person (and half price for children) for Afternoon tea just as we like it!

To book: Contact Jumeirah Restaurant Reservations on + 971 4 432 3232 or e-mail restaurants@jumeirah.com

Crowning Glory at BiCE Ristorante, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah

Dig out your posh frock and dress to impress, as those looking as polished as Miss Meghan Markle herself (or Prince Harry), could be winning their way to a really Royal award crowned as Dubai’s Best Dressed couple!

BiCE Ristorante at Hilton Dubai is widely acclaimed for their innovative dishes and super attentive service, and on the occasion of the most anticipated wedding of the year, they’re pulling out all the stops with an adult’s only Royal treat that’s set to wow their guests.

With some seriously spectacular views across Dubai Marina, you’ll be tucking in to a lavish three course feast (whilst being able to add that all-essential commentary to who is wearing what), whilst you watch the whole ceremony from the comfort of your table.

All Royal Wedding guests will be waving the flag proudly at this wedding extravaganza and you’ll have the chance to win an amazing 1 night stay at their very own Royal Penthouse at the Hilton Dubai!

When: Saturday, 19th May from 2:30 pm to 6:00pm

Price: AED 450 for a 3 course set menu, houses beverages and soft drinks. Entry is strictly over 21 years.

To book: Contact Jovana.Ilic@hilton.com or call 056 1882766

A Hen Night with a difference at Reform Social Grill & Bar, The Lakes

The night before the big day will no doubt be nerve-wrecking for Ms Markle, but not if you’re one of the hens that’s heading to Reform’s ‘hen do brunch’ on the Friday evening.

There will be loads of fun for girls in pink sashes as during this hen do brunch featuring high tea in an air conditioned tent, there will be a Mr and Mrs style quiz, glitter face painting and every excuse to have a right royal pre-wedding knees up!

On the big day itself, Reform will be hosting yet another British brunch – this time with Royal roasts to celebrate the exchanging of rings with a live screening of the whole wedding ceremony on giant screens and a prize offered for the guest eating the best hat or fascinator.

When: Friday 18th May and Saturday 19th May from 1pm until 5pm

Price: Both brunches are AED 250 for soft drinks and half price for children, with AED 325 for house beverages and AED 400 for the bubbles package to raise your glasses to the happy couple!

To book: call +971 4 4542638 or email reservations@reformsocialgrill.ae

Prince Harry look-a-likes to gather at McGettigans, JBR

Not to feel left out, the cheery bunch at McGettigans JBR, are inviting the guys down to what they’re calling ‘the unofficial stag do’ for Prince Harry this Thursday night giving Dads plenty of time to recover before celebrating the big day with the family!

Hmmmm, is this pure coincidence that there just might be a live screening of the match between Manchester United and West Ham happening that evening? Or are the guys just desperate to win the best dressed Prince Harry impression scooping a fab prize? Whatever the answer, this stag do is going to have a lively atmosphere, lots of fun and the perfect excuse to don a Prince Harry mask, a ginger wig and have some tasty Irish food whilst watching great sport.

When: Thursday 10th May

Price: Free entry

To book: Tel: (04) 318 2580 or visit mcgettigans.com

With a name like Great British Restaurant, they’ve got Royalty covered at Dukes Dubai

As the world watches the wedding ceremony of the year, there’s a cracker of a vibe happening at the most perfectly named restaurant for the Royal Wedding. Great British Restaurant is where lavish celebrations are happening, corks will be popping and you’ll feel like you’re right back at home watching festivities from the brasserie buzz of Dukes, Dubai.

Bringing the best of Britishness to your table, this smart but understated venue (that has its own Champagne and oyster bar), will be taking it’s Britishness to a whole new level with every excuse for those on the guest list to celebrate!

Men are invited to wear morning coats, lounge suits (and who doesn’t love a military uniform?) Whereas day dresses with hats or fascinators make for picture-perfect wedding attire for us ladies. Children can play happily whilst you take in one heck of a lavish brunch, and those celebrating on the day get the chance to win some royal recognition if you’re selected as one of Dukes’ best dressed families.

If you can prize yourself away from all the sumptuous treats, there will be a live screening of the Royal Wedding from the comfort of the St James Suite where you’ll take in horse drawn carriages, the bells of St Georges Chapel, Meghans’ bridesmaids and the couples vows (and maybe a few blurry eyes) in one of Dubai’s most majestic spots.

When: Saturday, 19th May 2018 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm

Price: AED 320 per person inclusive of house beverages and AED 400 per person inclusive of sparkling grapes with children 50% off.

To book: Email dining.dubai@dukeshotel.com or call: +971 (0) 4 455 1101

And finally, if the youngest ones in the family don’t want to sit through hours of nostalgic commentary, British pomp and pageantry, all will be forgiven! Just reach for the face paints, dig out those International Day outfits and hold your own British street party. Wave those flags madly whatever you’re up to British mums – for this is a day we will most definitely be proud to be British.

Read more:

Spotted: UK Celebs in Dubai

Which Expat Tribe Are You?

A Taste of British Culture in Dubai 

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