Kate Middleton and Prince William Go Full Hollywood on California Visit

Itinerary for royal couple's three-day SoCal trip is unveiled and features a massive red carpet event that will mix the best of old and new (British) Hollywood

By Gina Serpe Jun 15, 2011 2:30 PMTags
Royal Baby, Prince William, Kate MiddletonRex USA

As soon as the royal newlyweds' trip to the U.S. was announced, with Los Angeles in particular as their chosen destination, tongues began wagging.

Would Victoria and David Beckham take on hosting duties for Kate Middleton and Prince William? Just how many red carpets would be rolled out and Hollywood parties thrown in their honor? And which members of the glosse posse would be joining them in their travels?

Well, today we found out, as Will and Kate's official itinerary has been revealed for the California leg of their trip. So what will they be getting up to?

As has been ingrained into our collective minds by now, the three-day visit to Southern California is taking place July 8-10, and comes after they've put in some face time with the Commonwealth and spent a week in Canada.

As this is Kate's first official overseas engagement as a member of the royal family, the entourage is being kept down to an absolute minimum so as not to overwhelm the duchess.

Along with Kate and William, just seven staff members will be accompanying the couple: Kate's hairdresser James Pryce will be coming along, but not a dresser (in fact, it was quietly announced today that the hunt for a dresser and housekeeper for the couple has been indefinitely postponed as it is not imminently necessary), a private press secretary, assistant private secretary, two more press secretaries (three words: Well. Oiled. Machine.), Prince Charles' press secretary and Sir David Manning, an adviser and aide to the couple.

Here's the plan:

Friday, July 8: The duo will touch down at LAX in the early evening and immeditaly begin their ambassador duties, heading straight to a reception at the Beverly Hilton in support of United Kingdom Trade and Investment. The duo will then continue on to an evening reception with the Consular-General, held at the home of the government appointee who looks after British business interests and start-ups overseas before calling it a night.

Saturday, July 9: As expected, William and Kate will make their way up to Santa Barbara (this is where the previously vague "Los Angeles and its surrounding areas" portion of the trip comes into play) where Kate will show us Yanks how to rock a fascinator while Will plays in a charity polo match to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. Sadly for ginger lovers everywhere, Harry will not be making the trip along with his brother and sister-in-law. Kate will also have the honor of presenting the winning team's captain with the trophy from the match. Pressure's on!

Later in the evening, the couple will make their way back to Los Angeles for a black-tie dinner and reception at the newly-reopened Belasco Theatre downtown. As the event is being held by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, we can expect a red carpet flush with the best and brightest thesps England has to offer, and an evening that BAFTA L.A. chairman Nigel Lythgoe (seriously, is there anything that guy's not a part of) described as "very special."

The event, which serves as the inaugural BAFTA Brits to Watch evening, will not only spotlight British talent from the worlds of film, television and video games, but see Kate face off against Hollywood starlets for red carpet superiority. Just 42 up-and-coming Brits, selected by a BAFTA panel, will be chosen to meet with the royals and mingle with the rest of the Hollywood elite at the evening, which is being put on as a joint venture with the British Consulate-General. So who'll make up the special 42? Hey, your guesses are as good as ours, so let the speculation begin! But as the evening will feature talent both old and new, we have to wonder…will Carey Mulligan show up? Colin Firth? Keira Knightley? Andrew Garfield? Daniel Radcliffe? Orlando Bloom? Hugh Laurie? Dare to dream…R.Pattz?!

Sunday, July 10: The couple will be allowed some no doubt by then much-needed private time before heading out to the Inner-City Arts School, in the heart of L.A.'s Skid Row. Let's just say, it's about as far removed from Buckingham Palace as you can get.

Before heading back to the airport and bringing our country's collective fairy-tale moment to an end, Will and Kate will make one final stop at Sony Studios in Culver City, not for yet another showbiz do, but this time to attend the Service Nation: Mission Serve job fair being put on for veterans.

See you soon!