Bookie giving out free bets as Britain speculates

As Britain speculates over details of the royal wedding, one bookie is giving people the chance to take a punt on one of the big questions – how long Kate Middleton will make her groom wait.

William Hill is giving away £50,000 worth of free bets on how long Waity Katie – as she was once dubbed – will make Prince William wait at the altar.

The bookmaker, which is rebranding itself for the first time in its 50-year history – to William and Kate – is giving away 20 free £1 bets in each of its 2,300 shops.

Customers will be able to use them to bet on how early or late Miss Middleton will be for her wedding on Friday.

The first £50,000 free bets are on the day only and there will be 20 in each shop on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rupert Adams, from William Hill, said they expect to take more than £1 million on various bets – with wagers coming in from 86 different countries already.

“Interest in the royal wedding betting has been nothing short of incredible,” he said.

“We have previous experience, of course, being the first bookies ever to take bets on the royals back when Charles wed Di.

“We have already taken bets from customers in 86 different countries. The bets run to all sorts of things – whether the Duke of Edinburgh has a kip during the service will already cost us almost £30,000 and will be £50 plus on the day.”

And it will not just be royalists putting on a bet on the day, according to Mr Adams.

“On the one hand royalists, who have strong views will place a bet, such as the Prince of Wales choosing Welsh lamb for dinner, they’ll go to Bognor Butlins on holiday, the Queen’s hat will be purple.

“But we think we will be especially busy with people who have no real interest but know that they will have to watch it because of a spouse, partner... mother-in-law, and by having a bet they will at least have an interest in what takes place!”

The latest odds are:

• 1/1 Victoria Beckham to wear one of her own designs to the service
• 1/1 David Beckham to wear tails
• 3/1 Victoria Beckham wearing dark glasses in church
• 10/1 The Beckham girl to be named Catherine
• 33/1 Spice Girls to sing live at reception
• 8/1 Duke of Edinburgh captured on camera having a nap during the service
• 9/1 Ms Middleton signs a prenuptial agreement
• 10/1 Ms Middleton to cry as he walks Kate down the aisle
• 11/1 Ms Middleton will wear the Spencer family tiara
• 12/1 Elton John to sing live at the reception
• 13/1 Prince William to wear glasses during the service
• 14/1 Prince Harry to kiss Kate on the balcony after the wedding
• 16/1 Prince Harry to meet his future wife at the wedding
• 17/1 Prin ce William to have a beard during the service
• 18/1 Ms Middlton’s wedding shoes to have red soles
• 19/1 Prince Harry to catch the bouquet
• 20/1 Ms Middleton to have twins
• 23/1 Carole Middleton to be snapped chewing gum during the service
• 24/1 Prince Harry drops the ring during the service
• 26/1 Prince Harry to forget the ring
• Where Prince William will plant the balcony kiss: 1/5 lips, 4/1 cheek, 16/1 hand, 20/1 forehead, 33/1 ear
• Length of Ms Middleton’s train: 7/4 Less than 8ft, 1/1 8ft-19.9ft, 4/1 20ft-31.9ft, 8/1 More than 32ft
• What time will Ms Middleton enter Westminster Abbey: 7/4 11.00-11.03, 11/4 before 11.00, 4/1 11.04-11.07, 6/1 11.12 or later, 6/1 11.08 a.m -11.11
• Year of first baby: 5/4 2012, 15/8 2013, 5/1 2014, 9/2 2015 or later
• Sex of first baby: 1/1 Boy, 1/1 Girl
• BBC viewing figures during the wedding: 5/4 Fewer than 22 million, 2/1 22 - 25 million, 2/1 More than 25 million
• Couple still be married on their 10th anniversary: 1/20 Yes, 8/1 No.