A bloody good time for Wills and Kate

By Meredith Deliso

Royal wedding fever has officially crossed the pond.

When Prince William and Catherine Middleton wed in Westminster Abbey on April 29, you can count on Brooklyn Heights’s Chip Shop to throw a bloody good party.

“It’s the biggest royal event since 1981,” said owner Chris Sell (which, for you non-Anglophiles, is when Prince Charles and Diana wed), pictured. “The whole place will be decked out with Union Jacks. We’ll have just a good old party.”

For the past few weeks now, the restaurant has featured a caricature of Wills and Kate in its front window, leading up to the wedding. On the big day, you can celebrate the British couple by dining on traditional “old boys club” type food, including kippers — smoked herring — and kedgeree — a curried rice with smoked haddock and hard-boiled eggs.

“Every time I say it, it sounds awful, but it’s really quite nice,” said Sell. “I’m putting it on the menu because I want to eat it.”

For his part, Sell, a native of Rugby, England, approves of the union.

“It’ll be a shot in the arm of England to get a dynamic royal couple in there,” said Sell. “I hope it’s going to be a whole new chapter in the House of Windsor.”

Chip Shop’s festivities, which also include a royal quiz and champagne toast, kick off at 11 am. That’s a few hours behind the official wedding service, which begins at 11 am UK time, 5 am Brooklyn — a wee bit too early to start drinking here. All you early risers, though, can beat the sun and head to the Archway in DUMBO to watch the wedding live, as the DUMBO Improvement District throws a party there beginning at 5:30 am.

Dress festively — think fancy hats or coming as your favorite royal — to participate in contests and get your photo taken at an on-site photobooth. For the late-risers, the party will continue with a replaying of BBC America’s coverage following the live action.

“Brooklyn is home to thousands of Brits, and we want to help them celebrate in style,” said Alexandria Sica, executive director of the DUMBO Improvement District. “We look forward to seeing all of our local princes and princesses, young and old, dressed up or just stopping by to check out the spectacle.”

Royal wedding party at Chip Shop [129 Atlantic Ave. between Henry and Clinton streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 855-7775], April 29 starting at 11 am. For info, visit chipshopnyc.com; Royal wedding viewing at the DUMBO Archway [Pearl Street at the Manhattan Bridge, (718) 237-8700], April 29 beginning at 5:30 am. Free. For info, visit www.facebook.com/dumbo.bid.


Photo by Tom Callan