It’s a year since Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William married on 29th April. The happy couple plan to spend their anniversary ‘quietly and privately’, according to a Clarence House spokesperson. While we’re a little sad that Prince Harry won’t be shooting party goers out of cannons or instigating a United Nations conga, we understand. Thousands of guests attended their wedding, millions watched around the world, and billions have watched the quite astounding number of things the couple have got up to in their first 12 months as Prince & Duchess. A little time out is probably just what they need. However, as present planners we can’t help but cast a professional eye over the gifts the couple might exchange. After the deluge of wedding presents the first year anniversary is for the simple and heartfelt. It’s also traditional to give and receive paper presents. Perhaps Prince W will fashion origami flowers for his wife. The good Duchess could well be penning a sonnet. Perhaps history will relate, but if not here are our favourite ideas.
The Handpicked Collection’s Top Presents for a First ‘Paper’ Anniversary
Spineless Classics Fine Art Print The smart way to enjoy a famously good read. An entire novel is printed on high quality art paper ready to be framed and enjoyed.
Travel Journal The royal couple share a love of travel, and it’s just as well given how frequently the day job takes them out of the country. Here’s how to keep everything organised, while giving plenty of space to record everything they see and do.
Paper Potter Though possibly better suited to the green-fingered Prince Charles, our bestselling Paper Potter is a thrifty reminder that in austerity Britain it’s all about grow your own.
The Ginger Pig Meat Book Wills & Kate famously do all their own cooking. If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, Kate couldn’t do better than adding this epic recipe book to her culinary library.
Coloured Chinese Flying Lanterns Chinese tradition dictates that the year’s problems disappear with these beautiful lanterns. Should the happy couple have already argued over whose turn it is to take out the bins, this could provide the perfect uplifting experience.
Paint Your Own Watercolour Postcards The couple met while studying History of Art at university. Here’s a lovely way for them to recreate some of their favourite works.
Carolyn Sheffield Elephant Wastepaper Bin This is a slam dunk when it comes to a smart household essential. Plus the couple love elephants. We don’t exactly know that, but who doesn’t like elephants?
My Life Story While the royal couple lives aren’t exactly short of documentary evidence, how nice for them to create their own history in their own words. This book allows just that with spaces for achievements, special events, likes (hint, hint) and dislikes in a tome bound to last a lifetime.
One Line a Day Diary Let’s face it, the Royal couple don’t have time to write more than a sentence. And if that proves beyond them after a day hoisting casualties into helicopters or opening museum wings they should go for our new arrival One Word a Day.
We’ve got a selection of wedding anniversary gifts to suit pretty much any couple, royal or otherwise.