MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — British royals Prince William and Prince Harry toured the home of the King — Elvis, that is — and then went to a friend’s wedding during their trip to Tennessee.
Their visit inspired dozens of fans, paparazzi and news media to patiently wait hours on Saturday outside the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club for the chance to see royalty. Instead, they saw police and several black sport utility vehicles pull into the club.
For 15-year-old Danny Harp, that was enough. Just being within feet of a future king was like a dream come true, he said.
Absolutely blown away. I feel like I waited three years since the wedding to see this in person, said Harp, referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ceremony.
Harp drove about 200 miles from Nashville with his mother and a friend. They waited for the royals for about five hours as he held a small England flag and magazines with Princess Diana and the royal wedding on them.
I thought I’d rather be here and not see anything than be at home and feel like I missed something, he said.
He did get to see the bride, Lizzy Wilson, drive up in a 1950s-style turquoise Cadillac. Wilson is the granddaughter of the late Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson. She married London night club owner Guy Pelly.
Denise Horton Glidewell, a valet working the event, said everything was going smoothly. She has worked events with former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, but this was her first brush with royalty.
It’s exciting. It’s a great perk for Memphis, she said. We’ve known the Wilson family for many many years and this has been a lovely event. I’m glad it all went smoothly.
The royal brothers took a private tour of Graceland, the home of Elvis, on Friday. They were also spotted at a downtown restaurant, Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous, on Thursday night, according to media reports.