Yosief Weldemichael serves Mai Lai, Madone Pelan, and Cole Millen afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Resort Hotel in Victoria, Oct. 1, 2009.Deddeda Stemler For The Globe and Mail
Fairmont Empress Hotel (fairmont.com/empress)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the Victoria hotel shortly before the king's famous speech, and Queen Elizabeth II has dropped by nearly every decade of her reign - so it's no wonder that the Fairmont Empress Hotel is celebrating William and Kate's big day in grand fashion.
In the very wee hours on Friday - starting at 3 a.m. - royal watchers can tuck into a full English breakfast complete with eggs, kippers, baked beans, fried bread, fruit and pastries and take in the royal wedding live in the Tea Lobby, Empress Room and Bengal Lounge ($39). No need for tuxes and taffeta; Fairmont bathrobes and pyjamas are welcome.
At noon, you can pick up "Afternoon Tea To-Go" ($20), then enjoy the Royal Subjects Picnic on the Empress grounds. Four-legged ruling monarchs are also welcome: The afternoon includes a dog show with prizes for best-dressed pooch. Then round out the day with the Royal Empress Room Dinner, with dishes chosen from previous royal menus and served on the Queen's China - which until now has only ever been used by Her Majesty (April 29-May 1, $150).
If that still doesn't meet your monarchic quota, take in a special Royal Celebration Tea in the Empress library, complete with sparkling wine to toast the newlyweds (April 30-May 1, $90).
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (fairmont.com/hotelvancouver)
On the same royal visit in 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stayed at the newly opened Hotel Vancouver - which had been built for a princely sum of $12-million - and according to the menu from the time, the monarchs lunched on "stuffed eggs and chicken supreme." Those likely won't be on offer Friday morning - but, starting at 3 a.m., you can take in the royal nuptials in the 900 West Lounge and enjoy a decadent three-tiered hot breakfast platter, complete with the hotel's famous scones and clotted cream, and vie for top honours in the Royal Wedding Hat Contest, which could land you a free night's stay and tea for two ($29). Just beware that your bed head could be broadcast live, because a local breakfast TV show is filming on location starting at 5:30 a.m.
Shangri-La Hotel (shangri-la.com)
Not to be out-luxuried, Vancouver's posh Shangri-La Hotel is offering "The Princess Package - A Royal Wedding Experience." At 2 a.m. Friday, you can be gently awoken, then join a small group in the library for tea and scones, followed by a live screening of the royal wedding in the Blue Moon Theatre (pyjamas welcome). Once the royal pair has said their I Dos, guests - who also receive tiaras - you can swap notes on the ceremony as you enjoy high tea and crumpets, then go back to bed and check out late. (12 packages available, $355 each). For those with a less than king-sized budget, there's also a special Royal High Tea, complete with chocolate biscuit mini cake - reportedly a favourite of Prince William's - through April ($36).
Point Ellice House (pointellicehouse.ca)
Want to make like a royal? Head for the historic Point Ellice House in Victoria, where they're marking the start of the season with a pre-wedding Tea and Toast on April 28 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The formal afternoon tea features scones, Devon-style cream, preserves from the garden and lemon curd, as well as fruit and tea sandwiches. Because Prince William reportedly doesn't care for bubbly, toasts to the couple will be made with tea, lemon and milk. Hats and gloves encouraged; wedding attire optional ($10).
Wickaninnish Inn (wickinn.com)
There likely won't be much pageantry - or snootery - at this laid back West Coast resort, but they are inviting guests to stay up late (or get up early) and enjoy high tea, complete with home-made scones and finger sandwiches, in the Driftwood Lounge while gawking and giggling at the royal pomp and circumstance happening a world away. Starts at 2:30 a.m. ($20).
Royal BC Centennial Carillon (royalbcmuseum.bc.ca)
British Columbia may be short on grand cathedrals, but at noon on the big day, you can imagine you're back in merry old England and enjoy the sound of the Royal BC Centennial Carillon - the largest in Canada - as the bells ring for Will and Kate with a 30-minute program that includes works by Handel, Purcell, Stanley and Walton, as well as traditional English hymns (free).