Prince William and his new bride Catherine Middleton are touching down in Los Angeles Friday for a weekend visit.
But this is no lay-on-the-beach, Hollywood-star-homes tour kind of trip to Los Angeles. Here are the eight things you need to know about their uncommon visit, the first for Middleton and the prince's first in an official capacity:
1. Los Angeles: Expect a “carmageddon” preview when the couple lands at LAX Friday afternoon.
After being greeted at LAX by California Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Anne Gust Brown, the pair will make their way north to the Beverly Hilton for a stop at the Venture Capital and New Media Summit, a sold-out event sponsored by Variety in conjunction with the U.K. Trade & Investment group. They'll probably take the 405. You know, the freeway that will be shut down all next weekend.
2. Paparazzi beware!
The couple will then journey to the home of the British Consul General (left) in Hancock Park for an invitation-only meet and greet that will include Gov. Brown.
To keep the paparazzi at bay, the Los Angeles Police Department is beefing up security and prosecution efforts in anticipation of rabid photogs.
Residents of the seven homes around the June Street residence where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend the night have signed "keep-away" orders. This will allow police officers to arrest paparazzi on the spot if they are on private property trying to snap photos of the couple.
"Our primary concern is to protect the rights and privacy of the residents as well as the safety of the royal couple upon their visit here to the United States," LAPD spokeswoman Mitzi Fierro told the L.A. Times. "If they trespass on property where we have a signed trespass letter, they will be arrested immediately."
3. Fans of the British royalty around California are getting into the royal spirit Friday with their very own tea parties.
Among the royal watchers toasting the couple with crumpets, scones and a spot of tea: the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which is supplying free English breakfast tea at certain locations.
4. In what looks more like preppy Hamptons than beach-bum Santa Barbara, Prince William will participate in a charity polo match.
Ticket prices have reached upwards of $4,000 for the chance to rub elbows with royalty at the Saturday event at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. The charity event could bring in $4 million for the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, according to the Associated Press. Kate will present the award to the winning team.
5. They're serious about royal discretion.
A plastic surgeon was told his services weren't needed after he trumpeted the fact he would be on hand at the polo match in case Prince William needed to be stitched up. Dr. Toby Mayer, a Beverly Hills surgeon who has provided such services at the Polo Club, sent out a press release and gave a series of interviews about his expected involvement. Big mistake.
6. In true L.A. fashion, Kate Middleton is bringing an entourage on the trip.
The Duchess will dress herself for events but will have hair stylist James Pryce at her side. Also on hand: a private press secretary, a tour coordinator, a British diplomat and two additional press secretaries.
7. "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" producer Nigel Lythgoe is orchestrating the couple’s Saturday event, a sold-out British Academy of Film & Television Arts' “Brits to Watch” black-tie dinner and reception.
The event is taking place at the recently renovated 1926 Belasco Theater, which reopened on Hill Street after being shut down for nearly a quarter of a century. Among the expected guests: Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez, Harvey Weinstein, Judd Apatow and Disney Studios chair Rich Ross.
8. On Sunday, the glamour kicks down a notch.
The royal couple will visit the Inner-City Arts academy, a nonprofit academy that has given low-income children free classes in visual and performing arts since its inception in 1989.
"They're going to get a taste of what life is like for us," said Jessica Cornejo, a 19-year-old member of a dance troupe preparing its performance for the royalty told the Associated Press. "It's the best way to end that royal trip."
From there they will make their way to a "Hiring our Heroes" job fair event for veterans with ServiceNation: Mission Serve at Sony Studios in Culver City, being put to work on a service project to create 1,000 care packages for military children.
