On the Middleton side, we have Carole, a former flight attendant who, with her hubby, achieved millionaire status through a mail-order party supply venture. (Perhaps her biggest scandal so far? Chewing nicotine gum during Prince William's graduation ceremony in 2006.) On the Windsor side, however, sits a legend on a cloud: none other than Diana, the near-sainted lady who married Prince Charles, divorced him, raised two sons, championed humanitarian causes like AIDS and land mines, and died in a tragic car crash at age 36.
By now we all know that Will's father needs no introduction. By most reckonings, he is the future king of England, and little more need be said. But what about Kate's pa? Meet Michael, who built the Party Pieces mail order business with wife Carol. He's also generous: Per Vanity Fair, he and his wife are contributing a six-figure sum toward the cost of the royal wedding.
The queen is, well, the queen! Elizabeth II, aka Her Majesty, aka—per royal etiquette—Ma'am. As for Kate's ancestors, her most notable grandparent is likely Dorothy Goldsmith, who married in a local pub at age 18. She was known for her strength and ambition, earning her the nickname "Lady Dorothy."
Harry Windsor, Will's little brother, is affectionately known as the "spare" to Will's "heir." Chelsey Davy aside, he may also very well be the most sought-after bachelor in Britain. But don't discount Kate's own younger brother, James Middleton. The press have savaged the twentysomething cake-business maven as a "flamboyant" type who gets offended if paparazzi don't recognize him. (Ouch!)
Prince William has one hell of a house—er, houses, to be fair. Most prominent among them: Windsor Castle, a sprawling royal residence built nearly a thousand years ago. And oh: More than 500 people live and work there. Kate herself didn't exactly come up from squalor; the Victorian-style villa where she spent her childhood features four bedrooms, a playroom and cozy fireplaces.
In this category, Will clearly has a bigger tally. The prince dated a bevy of unique and gorgeous women before he settled down with his bride to be—among them, Rose Farquhar (or Rosie, as Will called her), who enjoyed picnic dates with the prince circa 2000, and Arabella Musgrave (pictured), a striking brunette who was last reported as working for the high-fashion house Gucci. Kate's most prominent ex is probably Rupert Finch; the two met at St. Andrews, where he was a law student. They dated for less than a year before Will eventually snatched Kate up.
Her Majesty the Queen is known for her regal complement of Welsh corgis, a breed so beloved it's known as the Royal Dog of England. She reportedly keeps four in her retinue at all times and was said to be devastated when one of them was killed in 2003. The Middletons, meanwhile, reportedly have a black cocker spaniel who may go by Ella.
For a prince, planning a top-secret stag party can't be easy. Enter club promoter and close mate Guy Pelly, who reportedly organized the bash with minimal press interference. (Unless you happen to read The Sun.) As for Kate, she prefers the likes of Alicia Fox-Pitt, an old school friend from her Marlborough days.
For a royal ex, Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson sure gets around—charity galas, her own series of children's books. Sure, she's no longer the wife of Andrew, Duke of York. Heck, she may not even be invited to the royal wedding. But with friends like Oprah (Fergie has been taping her own show for the OWN Network), who cares? As for the Middleton's own designated socialite, it's probably Pippa, Kate's younger sister. Pippa, 27, is an events planner recently dubbed by Tatler magazine as "the Number 1 Society Singleton."
The Windsors and the Middletons each are known for their own specific products. For the royal family, let's be honest: It's heirs to the throne. Liz had them. Diana had them, and, by all indications, Kate and Will plan to make some, too. But what about the Middletons? Well, Party Pieces, operated by Kate's parents, sells supplies for children's events. Hello Kitty pinata, anyone?
Next gallery: Top 10 Most Magical Princesses Ever!