NH Venue Hosts Royal Wedding Viewing Party and Exhibit of Princess Di’s Gowns

As the world anticipates and witnesses the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, more than 400 guests will be watching a live broadcast of the ceremony on a big screen in New Hampshire amidst a unique collection of Princess Diana’s royal gowns and other items honoring her life.

The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center in Plymouth, N.H. will be hosting this dual event, which celebrates two generations of the British royal family at once.  The world-class exhibition “Diana – The People’s Princess” will be showing for a limited time at the venue from Monday, April 25 – Sunday, May 8.  This is the largest private collection of Princess Diana’s gowns in the world, and is the last time they will be shown together in the United States before they are sold at auction in Canada this summer.

While the gowns are on exhibit, a very special event will take place on Friday, April 29^th—Diana’s son Prince William will marry his soon-to-be Princess Catherine Middleton—and The Flying Monkey will celebrate by hosting a Royal Wedding Viewing Party at it’s beautiful theater beginning at 4:30am.

“The Royal Wedding has captured the hearts of an international audience,” said Maureen Dunkel, owner of the collection of royal gowns.  “To witness that special day for Princess Diana’s first-born son, among her beautiful gowns and stories paying tribute to her, is going to be a touching experience those in attendance won’t soon forget.”

Guests attending the Royal Wedding Viewing Party will watch the ceremony on the Flying Monkey’s big movie screen as it happens “live.”  All people attending are invited to wear their best formal wedding attire, including the traditional large and stylish hats donned by women.  Guests can vote on the best wedding hats while enjoying tea, finger pastries, and other breakfast items.

“Diana – The People’s Princess” is an enchanting exhibition that provides a unique glimpse into the life of Princess Diana as told through her own personal gown collection, along with videos and story boards.  Dunkel, who has vacationed in New Hampshire since childhood, chose this location as the place to bid a bittersweet goodbye to the collection due to her fond memories here.

“I’ve run the People’s Princess Charitable Foundation and had these gowns and artifacts as part of my life since 1997,” said Dunkel. “I felt it was time to bring them home to a place I hold so dear and say a final goodbye before I release the collection so that others may cherish their history and meaning.”

In keeping with Princess Diana’s wish to “do beautiful things with beautiful things,” Dunkel and The Flying Monkey are donating a portion of the exhibit’s ticket sales to The Cinderella Project of New Hampshire, a non-profit organization that provides formal gowns and accessories for young women facing financial hardship.  Since its inception in 2002, The Cinderella Project of New Hampshire has assisted more than 6,000 young women.

Tickets for the Royal Wedding Viewing Party are free of charge but limited.  Those interested in attending must reserve a seat by calling The Flying Monkey box office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday – Friday at (603) 536-2551, or online at www.flyingmonkeynh.com.  The breakfast is an additional fee.

Tickets to the full exhibit of “Diana – The People’s Princess” are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors or groups of 10 or more, and $14.95 for children age 13 and under.  Programs run every hour.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com or call The Flying Monkey box office at (603) 536-2551.  Group tickets must be purchased by phone.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of The Common Man Family of Restaurants