WE think our royal weddings are expensive – but they have nothing on Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s £563million nuptials. The son of India’s richest man and the pharmaceutical heiress tied the knot in Mumbai this weekend in front of 5,000 of the world’s richest people. Guests included reality stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian, former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair and actress Priyanka Chopra and her singer husband Nick Jonas .
In a country where millions live in poverty, the celebrations have drawn as much as anger as curiosity. The Ambanis reportedly booked 100 private jets to fly guests to India from around the world for the three-day wedding, taking place at the most expensive venue in the world. Every five-star hotel in Mumbai has been booked up for their stay, being paid for by the family.
The multi-event celebrations for the 29-year-old couple, which have cost 15 times more than Harry and Meghan’s £34million bash , kicked off with a pre-wedding party in March, at which Rihanna and Akon performed to 1,200 guests. Rihanna was reportedly paid £5million for her 90-minute performance, with the whole event coming in at £126million. Then came a £94.
5million luxury cruise around the Mediterranean for 800 guests, which saw performances from Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and Pitbull across four days. There was another, more traditional, pre-wedding party held last week, at which Justin Bieber performed for a reported £7million. The final wedding even.