Ravenous royal watchers raid Markle merchandise at British shops

A wave of eager wedding watchers has just about cleared the locally-owned British import business 'A Taste of Britain' out of their Prince Harry and Meghan Markle merchandise, says employee Laura Hewitt.

"We thought it would be busy, but I don't think we expected it to be quite so," said Hewitt, whose Scottish parents opened the business 17 years ago.

"I would say 70 per cent of the people coming through pick something up for the wedding."

In anticipation of the big day, Hewitt said the business ordered a range of Harry and Meghan-themed knickknacks—including teacups, plates, spoons and even bells—as well as a range of more generic Union Jack items, such as toothpicks, tea towels and flags.

They put their first order in about three weeks ago, Hewitt said.

"We didn't anticipate selling so much, so we ordered three different occasions, like we put our major order in and then we had to re-order and re-order," she said.

"As far as the plates, cups, napkins we're running extremely low because our suppliers are out too."

Plenty of royal interest in London, Ont.

A recent survey by the market research firm YouGov suggests the British public is iffy about Meghan Markle, and that only two per cent of respondents picked her as a favourite among royals, according to CBC correspondent Nahlah Ayed. 

The findings also suggest about 70 per cent of respondents weren't interested in the wedding at all.

But that ambivalence hasn't been reflected at 'A Taste of Britain'. 

Customer interest in Harry and Meghan merchandise has been 'about the same' as it was for Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials, said Hewitt.

And, they expect it to be all gone by the time the wedding's over.

After a major royal event, their stores are usually left with a few bits and pieces that have to be put on sale, Hewitt said. Their north London location still has a plate from Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee, and an imitation of Kate Middleton's engagement ring. 

They don't expect that will happen this time, Hewitt said. 

As of Thursday morning, the business' south London store has just a few Harry and Meghan spoons left, along with a handful of Union Jack flags and toothpicks. Their north location has just two couple-themed cups and saucers, one plate and a smattering of Union Jack items. 

The good news? They still have plenty of snacks.

"We've been stocking up on clotted cream for the last couple months actually," said Hewitt. "We do have lots of clotted cream."