The Daily Mail reported that a royal aide said:

‘There has been much talk about it being a frugal occasion and while they will keep an eye on the cost, they are aware this will be a state occasion and want people to share in their happiness. The engagement ring with its oval blue sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 diamonds, the ring is among the most famous in the world. It cost £28,500 but Before the Princess of Wales’s death in the 1997 Paris car crash, the ring was valued at more than £250,000 because of its connection to the royals'

The independent paper reported.

'It is traditional that the father of the bride pays for his daughter's wedding. But when it comes to royal nuptials custom favours the commoner. The cost of Prince William and Kate Middleton's union will run into millions and will be largely met by public funds. The bulk of this expense will go on the huge security bill for the occasion.

The guardian paper reported

'One should not perhaps expect quite the lavish hoopla that accompanied the groom's parents' marriage in 1981. Figures are difficult to come by for the total bill of Charles and Diana's ceremony – one estimate put the cost, including policing and security, at more than £30m – but there is no question that the 27 wedding cakes, 10,000 pearls hand-sewn on to Diana's gown and 6,000 police and military officers manning the route to St Paul's Cathedral did not come cheap'

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