You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Middleton Ole dishes on royal wedding

By David Gonnerman '90
April 25, 2011

Jennifer Kirmsse Middleton '92 has been living in the United Kingdom for 20 years, where she runs her own public relations firm. Recently she's been involved in crafting a handful of souvenirs that will commemorate the April 29 wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton, her husband's second cousin. We asked her a few questions about her royal connections, discounts on souvenirs, and those silly British words . . .

Jennifer Middleton '92 will deliver her father-in-law to Westminster Abbey April 29 to attend the royal wedding.

Will anyone from your family be attending the royal wedding?
My 84-year-old father-in-law will be representing the Yorkshire branch of the family at the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. We're all travelling down to celebrate in London — and look after dear old Pa, of course!

As an American expat, can you explain to the rest of us Yanks the allure of Britain's royal family?
It's puzzling to be honest. The wedding is far bigger news stateside than here. It's news here, but not incessantly so. I think Americans love a fairy tale: the commoner bride snaring a Prince; the promise of the happy ending. The British are more cynical, snarky even.

Security must be pretty tight for this one. Have you had to deal with any of that?
My father-in-law arrives for Sunday lunch with his "Royal Wedding" file. The security is immense, and rightly so. No phones, no camera, and amusingly no "dress swords."

What was the commissioning process for these souvenirs?
We worked alongside British potteries and porcelain makers to design some tasteful and lasting souvenirs, something that harked back to tradition. We came up with the concepts and they put them into manufacture. I particularly love the Emma Bridgewater Mug — it looks like an 18th-century coronation mug.    

What makes a souvenir "official"? Is the queen constantly showing up for snap inspections?
They are reviewed by a committee that passes them by the couple for selection. There are firms that hold Royal Warrant, which means they supply the royal household with goods — anything from mustard to diamonds. Several of the companies I work with hold Royal Warrants and they are immensely proud of their achievement. They get to go to the palace once a year for a garden party.   

When is the hottest time to sell royal wedding souvenirs . . . and when might we start scoring some discounts?
They’re selling like hotcakes now. I'm sure I can do a deal for alumni — but I’ll require Ole proof: Name me three dorms and you'll qualify.

How might your PR firm's "local is best" message apply to the new royal couple?
It was important for me to use British manufacture for the souvenirs — companies that work in the famous and ancient pottery town of Stoke on Trent. Stoke potteries have suffered and declined during the recession, so I feel I'm doing my bit to support British industry.

Of the souvenirs that Middleton has helped commission to commemorate the upcoming royal wedding, the Emma Bridgewater Mug (above) is her favorite.

Have you ever met Ms. Middleton?
I haven't, but my father-in-law has met both Catherine and William recently. I have, however, met Prince Charles and Camilla on separate occasions. I toured a sheep farm with HRH Prince of Wales and a goat cheese factory with Camilla. Hardly glamorous occasions but important in my work to ensure safe and traditional food production. I'm embarrassed to say I bought new Wellington boots to meet Prince Charles — and he commented on them. His looked very worn and used.

They were both immensely charming and very interested in the farms and production of food. They were incredibly down-to-earth and easy to be with.

If you were ever to have William and Catherine over for dinner, what would you serve?
Something simple and fresh. Locally reared roast beef, fresh English asparagus with hollandaise sauce and new Jersey potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings of course — I've mastered those. We'd end with a summer berry pavlova — berries, cream, and meringue. It's a meal I have made hundreds of times.

Sorry, lutefisk doesn't get a look in.  

Would you like to see your daughter become a princess?
No, absolutely not. I'd like her to "own" her life. Working a heartbeat away from the British media, I don't trust them an inch and certainly wouldn't want to throw my daughter to the wolves. I'd like her to be contented; it's an underrated state of mind.

It troubles me that Catherine — as she is known to family and friends — has even lost ownership of her own name. It was shortened to "Kate" by the press simply because it fit in headlines easier.   

As an English major (in England!), have you completely given in to all those quirky British words and their spellings . . . or do you still show some grammatical stars and stripes?  
I have adopted most British spellings, but still get returned press releases correcting my perfect grammar. The English like to tinker with perfection. It's infuriating.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.