The royals have gone Hollywood.
Prince William and bride Kate Middleton are taking Tinseltown by storm this weekend with a whirlwind visit, including a host of parties with some movie-biz heavyweights.
The most coveted ticket in town is for a brunch feting the newlyweds tomorrow at the palatial Beverly Hills home of Hollywood bigwig and New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, where no one has been invited without pledging a massive donation to charity first, according to a report.
“Anyone who hasn’t promised a donation of $100,000 [for] a double ticket won’t be going through that door,” a source told the Daily Mail.
On the list for the midday soirée at the 10,000-square-foot manse were stars such as Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon and Oscar-nominated Catherine Keener. Major philanthropists also will be there.
“Someone has even pledged $500,000. William wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t raising money; he doesn’t want to meet a bunch of wannabe waxworks in Beverly Hills,” the source told the Daily Mail.
The couple touched down at around 4 p.m. local time yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport from Calgary, Canada, where they showed they were ready for their visit to the United States by dressing up like cowboys as they watched the Calgary Stampede rodeo. It’s Middleton’s first visit to the United States.
When they arrived at the airport, Kate looked decidely more glam in a tasteful pale blue Roksanda Ilincic cocktail dress.
The couple immedately headed to a technology summit at a local hotel where they met business bigwigs to promote UK trade. They whisked past a small crowd of well-wishers as they entered the event, where they sat in on a panel discussion that included speakers such as “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talking about social media.
They later arrived at a reception at the British consul-general’s residence in LA, where Hollywood honchos and famous British expatriots such as David Beckham were eager to rub elbows with the bluebloods.
Today, the main event for the horse-loving prince and his bride will be a charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club, where tables nearest the royal action are going for about $4,000, with “cheap” seats in the grandstands at $400.
Prince William is set to play, while Kate will hand the trophy to the winner.
Horse lovers can get a chance to play with Wills for a cool $100,000.
Beckham, Oprah Winfrey and Sylvester Stallone are expected to attend.
Tonight, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will hold a posh, black-tie dinner in the couple’s honor with a guest list that includes Blake Lively, Barbra Streisand, Martin Scorsese, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Tom Hanks, according to reports.
Tomorrow, the couple will visit an inner-city arts project on LA’s Skid Row and a jobs fair for US soldiers before heading home.
The royal itinerary
YESTERDAY
* Reception at airport with California Gov. Jerry Brown
* Reception at British consul-general’s residence in LA
TODAY
* Charity polo match at Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club
* Black-tie event at Belasco Theater for British Academy of Film and Television Arts
TOMORROW
* Charity brunch at home of Giants co-owner Steve Tisch to support another of the prince’s favorite charities, Tusk Trust USA
* Visit to urban-arts project on LA Skid Row