Windsor castle is reflected in the window of a shop selling royal wedding memorabilia in Windsor 08 April 2005. (AFP photo)

As Britain gears itself up for Saturday's royal wedding between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, memorabilia hungry hordes are stocking up in the hope the souvenirs they buy will one day be collectors' items.

Among the best selling pieces of memorabilia are tea towels and mugs marked the 8th April, the first date chosen for the wedding, before Prince Charles postponed it for a day so that he could attend the pope's funeral in Rome.

Some people were taking the long view and buying up memorabilia so that they could one day pass it on to his children.

But dealers say buyers should avoid poorly made items, even if it does have the wrong date on it, because only quality pieces of memorabilia increase in value. John Pym is the manager of Hope and Glory.
"I'd advise everybody not to buy tea towels, toilet roll holders, badges, with the wrong date on thinking they're going to be worth something in the future. It's usually the quality items that hold their value."

Fewer than 30 guests will watch Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles take their vows in a quiet civil wedding ceremony Saturday at Windsor's town hall.

Most of those are relatives of the couple, but one notable family member will be missing: the bridegroom's mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

She and her husband, Prince Philip, will skip the civil service. They say they're honouring Charles' wish to keep it "low key" but plan to join about 800 guests at Windsor Castle for a religious blessing afterwards.