But that won't stop a Dunedin cafe from holding a right royal knees-up to celebrate a certain event tomorrow.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage ceremony, beginning at 10pm New Zealand time, is expected to attract a worldwide television audience of two billion. A few of those will be glued to television screens in Roslyn's Rhubarb Cafe.
"I wrote to the Queen and to William and Kate and told them that we were planning a party to celebrate the Royal Wedding," Rhubarb Cafe co-owner Helen Wright said yesterday.
"I suggested to them that had they been thinking of a low-key alternative, they would be most welcome to come to our party."
The Queen's Lady-in-Waiting, Annabel Whitehead, promptly replied to the invitation on a Buckingham Palace letterhead.
"Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh are very much looking forward to the marriage of their grandson on 29th April, and were touched to hear about the special party you are holding in Dunedin to mark the occasion," she wrote.
Ms Wright said the wedding was a special occasion for people around the world.
"Everyone's really excited about it. This is about a fairytale. We all love a good prince and princess fairytale." The cafe will be lined with 100m of Union Jack bunting and feature a themed wedding chapel, reception area and traditional English pub, while waitresses will dress up with long white gloves and tiaras for the evening.
"This is our version of a royal wedding street party. It's a chance for some pomp and ceremony and an opportunity to have fun," Ms Wright said.
"We're making up mannequins like William and Kate, so people can have their photos taken with the royal couple."
