Gambling on the Queen's Hat
Bettors speculate on its color.
The rest of the world may be obsessing about Kate's wedding dress, but I'm more concerned about the Queen's hat; specifically, is she going to wear a blue one? UK sports betting companies such as PaddyPower.com have been taking bets all week on a plethora of Royal Wedding eventualities (Prince Philip to fall asleep is 6/1, first to cry: 8/1 Elton John, 50/1 David Beckham), and I thought that the queen to wear a blue hat was an irresistible punt at 4/1 with williamhill.co.uk. Yellow is the hot favourite with prices at even money (meaning you bet one pound, you get back one pound, but your stake is returned, so you'd be one pound up on the deal) and there was such a run of money for a regal yellow headpiece that betting was suspended earlier this week by one firm, Ladbrokes.However, I've been doing the research, and it seems that yellow backers usually come to grief. I've been assured they will pay out on blue if she goes for lavender like she did last year at Royal Ascot.