Are Prince William And Duchess Kate Really Staying In Luxury New York Accommodations?

New York is anticipating a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge December 7-9. The royal couple’s official itinerary includes details about their official engagements, which they will attend on behalf of the Royal Foundation and the British Government. A report in Monday’s Mirror revealed the luxury New York hotel where Prince William and the former Kate Middleton will be hanging their hats during their stay.

But it seems the couple has declined to use the most luxurious accommodations the hotel has to offer. Although they will stay at The Carlyle, where rooms start at US $675 per night, The Mirror discovered the hotel’s highest-priced suite is still available during the couple’s visit. That led the publication to conclude the royals chose not to max out their accommodation bill for their U.S. stay.

If they had, a hefty bill it would have been. The Carlyle’s Empire Suite is a large duplex with a private art collection, accessible at a cost of US $15,000 per night.

The Duke and Duchess are often spotted living their private lives in quiet, without an excessive amount of luxury. This summer they were seen taking the train home from time away in the country, without the presence of an entourage. Since the trip to New York is an official visit, however, things may be quite different for the royals.

One of the last engagements on their itinerary is a fundraiser for their alma mater, St. Andrews University, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A table for 10 will cost attendees US $100,000, according to a Daily Mail report.

Members of the media have been instructed to dress appropriately when in the presence of Prince William and Duchess Kate in order to show respect to the couple. A recent Telegraph article quoted a palace spokesperson who confirmed the guidelines are in effect but denied that any proactive instructions had been sent to American media.

As part of the royal’s visit to the northeast, Prince William will go to Washington, D.C. on December 8 to attend a conference at the World Bank. Duchess Kate will remain in New York for all three days.

The Mirror notes that The Carlyle hotel has a long history of notable names on its customer register. They include Prince William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who stayed there in 1995. His father, Prince Charles, and Charles’ wife Camilla stayed there in 2005. It has also been host to U.S. presidents and celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Mick Jagger.

This will be the Duke and Duchess’ first visit to New York and Washington.

[Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Image: Google]