The royals pay homage to the King: Wills, Harry and their cousins enjoy tour of Graceland (and even wear Elvis shades in his honor)

Royal group had the general public removed from the site while they took a private tour of the historic landmark where Elvis died

Royal brothers last night spotted having dinner at a Rendezvous restaurant in Memphis



Were attending a wedding rehearsal dinner held at barbecue-style bar

Security costs of Royals' vacation is costing the British taxpayer an estimated £50,000 ($84,000)



Princes William and Harry today paid homage to the king of rock n' roll Elvis Presley with a private tour of Graceland.



The princes were dressed casually and wearing sunglasses as they wandered around the white-columned mansion in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday afternoon during a visit to the city for the wedding of their longtime friend Guy Pelly and American Holiday Inn heiress Lizzy Smith.



The royal group, which also included Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, had the general public removed from the site while they took a private tour of the historic landmark where Elvis died on August 16, 1977.

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Prince William and Prince Harry attend Elvis' home Graceland in Memphis as part of Guy Pelly's wedding weekend. The group had the general public removed from the site while they took a private tour No thanks: Prince William was one of the only visitors that did not don a pair of Elvis' sunglasses

Prince Harry, wearing his Elvis glasses and Prince William visited Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion Friday as part of a day out with Guy Pelly's wedding guests Prince William seen here walking down the stairs at the Graceland mansion, the beloved home of Elvis Presley where he died in 1977

Prince Harry walks around the grounds of Graceland wearing an audio headset, presumably for the official tour of Elvis' home Princess Beatrice and Eugenie attend Graceland wearing Elvis sunglasses for Guy Pelly's wedding weekend along with one fun-loving friend who lifted her shirt for the cameras

The young royals were part of a large group to attend the wedding of close friend Guy Pelly and Lizzy Wilson in Memphis

Prince Harry got into the spirit of the Elvis tour and donned the King's trademark sunglasses, seen at right in September 1972 on the King himself in Las Vegas

Princess Beatrice, left, and Princess Eugenie, right, also looked fetching in the iconic frames



Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion served as his family home throughout most of his adult life and he is buried there in the Meditation Garden.



During the visit, Harry, casually dressed in a blue polo neck, was spotted with a pair of black headphones and an orange lanyard round his neck as he listened intently to the audio tour guiding him around the 14-acre estate’s mansion.

A staff member at the visitor attraction said: ‘It is pretty special to have a future king take time to come to visit The King.’

All good fun, but questions are already being asked about the price of keeping them safe, put at £50,000 (around $84,000).



Hunk of burning love? The newly-single Harry wore a blue t-shirt with his fun Elvis specs Lucky: While the general public was barred from the home during the royal visit, there is no doubt the tour guides of Graceland were feeling elated to come in contact with the royals Comparing palaces? No doubt some of Graceland's furnishings and chandeliers would make the royals feel right at home Prince William was alone for the tour as sadly his wife is not with him on the trip to Memphis

Prince William (far left), in Memphis Tennessee, along with Prince Harry and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice mingled with other members of the wedding party at Graceland

Princess Beatrice, pictured in fun Elvis sunglasses and carrying her audio guide with boyfriend Dave Clark at Graceland Princess Beatrice also joined in the fun with some Elvis glasses like her sister after jetting into Memphis to attend the wedding of Guy Pelly and American heiress Lizzy Smith Princess Beatrice and Eugenie attend Graceland wearing Elvis sunglasses for Guy Pelly's wedding weekend while crowds gathered around the historic home in the hope of getting a glimpse of the young royals and their crew

The general public were barred from Graceland during the visit but despite not being able to visit the home of the king of rock 'n' roll, they hung around hoping for a glimpse of a future King

Guy Pelly, pictured here, is marrying Holiday Inn heiress Lizzy Smith in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday

Although the cost of the trip itself is being met privately by the princes, they are accompanied round-the-clock by a team of around four taxpayer-funded officers from Scotland Yard’s Royalty Protection Squad.

Some of those will have traveled to Memphis in advance to ‘recce’ the private residence where they are staying and the wedding venue. Others traveled with the brothers personally.

One senior industry source estimated the cost of guarding the princes during their five-day trip would be in the region of £50,000, including business class flights and hotels for all of the officers.

Princess Beatrice gets into the spirit - and perhaps enjoys the shade - with her Elvis sunglasses. Her and sister Eugenie were seen enjoying drinks in a Memphis street the night before

Guy Pelly, pictured center in sunglasses, looked dapper and relaxed ahead of his wedding on Saturday and enjoyed a trip to Graceland with longtime friends William and Harry

The gang of wedding guests paid homage to the king of rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley with a trip to the historic Graceland mansion where the singer died in 1977

Princess Eugenie takes in the sights at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis along with other members of the high-society wedding party. No doubt she was a bit tired from the Thursday night out beforehand

THE HOME OF AMERICAN MUSICAL ROYALTY: ELVIS' GRACELAND

With its white columns, rolling green acres and fountains, Graceland was the palatial home of the king of rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley.

It is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, roughly 9 miles from downtown Memphis. The property was bought by Elvis' parents for $100,000 in 1957 as the singer's popularity grew and he needed a place to retreat from fans. The mansion has twenty-three rooms, including eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Elvis adapted it to his own quirky tastes - the basement TV room is where the king would watch three sets at once, and was within close reach of a wet bar. The 'Jungle Room' is just one example at the home of Elvis' fabulously, kitschy taste.

It is one of the most visited private homes in the U.S. with more than 600,000 visitors trudging its lavish hallways with audio guides each year.

The front gate is one of its most iconic images, shaped like sheet music, with green colored musical notes and a silhouette of the king himself.



The brothers dined along with friends and family at popular BBQ restaurant Rendezvous on Thursday evening before heading home for an early night.

Young father William and newly-single Harry headed off at 11pm, leaving cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to party into the early hours at an outdoor bar.

Clearly in good spirits, Beatrice, 25, danced on a table, and could also be seen with her 24-year-old sister and other members of the wedding party drinking from plastic glasses which read: ‘Kiss Me, I’m Irish.’



It should have been a romantic trip away for Prince Harry with his girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.



But days after the couple split, Prince Harry was looking far from distraught as he was spotted dining with his brother Prince William in Memphis one day after partying at an exclusive Miami club.



Just hours before, newly single Harry, 29, had danced into the early hours of Thursday at a fashionable nightspot known as the ‘flashiest club in Miami’.

Later on Thursday, Harry looked relaxed and carefree as he climbed into an SUV in the 32C Florida sun.

With a backpack slung casually over his shoulder, and wearing sunglasses and a checked shirt, he showed no signs of missing Miss Bonas.

Harry is in the US for the wedding of his friend, London club owner Guy Pelly, who was at his side in Miami Beach.



Mr Pelly will marry Holiday Inn heiress Lizzy Wilson in Memphis, Tennessee, on Saturday, with Prince William also in attendance.

The palace today confirmed the royal trip to the U.S is privately funded.

The royal group left Graceland today in their SUV convoy with their security convoy leaning out the windows to keep on eye on the crowds

Local Memphis police were also on hand to offer added security for the Royal group at Graceland Entourage: The princes will no doubt be safe in Memphis. The local police confirmed that royal protection officers reached out in advance of the visit

Members of the media and the public line up along a wall in front of some graffiti at Elvis Presley's Graceland to try to catch a glimpse of British princes William and Harry Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, which served as his family home throughout most of his adult life. The house includes a bright yellow TV room, in which Presley used to watch three televisions simultaneously The King: Elvis Presley at his beloved Graceland mansion in 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee This would include all of Harry's transport from the UK to Memphis via Miami - including trips on a private jet with s tarting prices for a jet from Miami to Memphis costing from around $18,000 (£10,600). It would also include a convoy of SUV vehicles, a ccommodation while in Miami and Memphis plus visits to bars, clubs, and restaurants. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next So not THAT heartbroken over Cressie then, Harry! Prince... Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie kick off Memphis wedding... PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: From Memphis carnival's 'Queen Elizabeth'... Elvis has risen from the dead! Rock star Royals cause... Share this article Share It is unclear whether the royals themselves have paid for the visit - or whether it is partly or entirely funded by the wedding party.

However, taxpayer funded bodyguards from Scotland Yard were provided to protect Harry while he was staying in Miami. It is unclear as to whether they will remain by his side for the duration of his trip. Harry is thought to earn around £38,000 a year for his role as a Captain in the British Army. Prince William would also have paid for his transport in from the UK - including a commercial flight from the UK via Chicago's O'Hare airport. William was an RAF pilot until late last year when he quit to spend more time with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge. Later, Prince William was seen crossing a golf course on the way to a reception at the Memphis Country Club The royal laughed with friends on their way to the latest of many celebrations for tomorrow's wedding After a number of casual events, William and the group looked smart in suits as they headed for a drinks do Mad for plaid: Prince William arrived joined his brother and thir mates to honor the bride and groom two nights before the big event. Kate stayed at home in London with Prince George

Newly single Prince Harry was photographed leaving the Rendezvous BBQ restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee

On Thursday night the brothers were both greeted by crowds of excitable royal watchers in Memphis as they arrived at a popular barbecue restaurant.

Earlier in the day, William had been seen in the airport lounge at Chicago's O'Hare airport, during a stopover on the way to Memphis.



Still looking tanned from his recent Royal tour of New Zealand and Australia, he was seen in a private Swiss Air Lounge tucking into a plate of chicken nachos and chicken wings while waiting for a connecting flight.



'A hostess and server from the restaurants took great care of him before he jetted off,' a fellow traveller told People magazine.



He and brother Harry were later spotted arriving at the Rendezvous restaurant in Memphis, where eager residents had gathered on the sidewalk to cheer.

Harry walks towards a car with members of his entourage shortly after leaving the building

It is thought the royal brothers headed back to their accommodation after dinner for an early night

Scores of people wait outside BBQ joint Rendezvous in Memphis for the arrival of the two princes

Crowds gather on the street outside the restaurant where the brothers dined last night (pictured centre right)

As body guards opened the passenger doors on a fleet of SUVs, the crowd cheered wildly as they jostled for a chance to see Harry and William.

Both princes had dressed down for the occasion, wearing jeans and casual shirts. William appeared to have opted for a country look, with red and blue checked shirt.

While the royal brothers appear to be enjoying themselves, the trip to Memphis was supposed to have been a romantic getaway for Harry and Miss Bonas, 25, his girlfriend of two years.



They suddenly split at the weekend with Miss Bonas, a former dance student now working in marketing, cancelling her plans to travel to the US.

The wedding celebrations, including some boys-only events, are believed to have been part of the reasoning behind Harry's split with Stowe-educated Miss Bonas, a source told Mail Online.

Princesses Beatrice (left) and Eugenie (right) of York enjoyed drinks on Beale Street in Memphis on Thursday evening with their friends Sam Pelly and Lizzy Wilson ahead of their wedding this weekend

As well as being 'panicked' after she discovered she would be expected to sit at the top table with Prince Harry during the high-profile wedding, Miss Bonas was said to be unhappy at the party plans.

Sources close to the couple insist the split is amicable, although Miss Bonas looked glum as she walked to work in the West End this week.

Meanwhile her former boyfriend appeared not to have a care in the world as he flew in to Miami on Wednesday, on route to Memphis, for the first of several nights out.

He first enjoyed dinner at the Hakkasan restaurant in the Fontainebleau Hotel and Resort with a group of male and female friends.

The party ate in a private dining room, enjoying stir-fried Chilean sea bass, Bahamian lobster and cocktails.

A fellow diner said: ‘It seemed like a really civilised dinner, it was pretty low-key. Harry was sitting next to a tanned brunette woman and they were chatting away, but it was hard to tell if it was flirtatious or not.’

Her soon-to-be husband Guy looked relaxed in a crisp blue shirt and royal blue trousers

Later the group headed to the resort’s LIV nightclub, where Mike Tindall held his stag party before his marriage to Zara Phillips.

Onlookers said Harry and seven friends could be seen ‘having the best time’ in the club, which stays open until 5am.



Harry’s group had the run of a private box overlooking the dance floor.

Lesley Abravanel, who was also at the club, said: ‘He was having fun. He was up in a skybox, which is just for VIPs. You’re away from the masses, but you are close enough that you can still party hard.

‘It’s where big celebrities such as Jay-Z or Kanye West go when they are in town. It’s the flashiest nightclub in Miami.’

It is believed Harry’s friend Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip was among the group. He prides himself on being the prince’s ‘wingman’ and was with him when he famously stripped naked in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2012.

Rock star treatment: The princes' visit has been breathlessly covered by media, with helicopters filming the private jet Harry arrived in as it landed in Memphis Thursday afternoon

The Prince looked casual in a checked shirt and sunglasses as he headed to a waiting SUV

On that Vegas trip Harry was photographed on a mobile phone playing ‘strip billiards’ with an unidentified blonde.



This time, however, security officers tried to stop night clubbers taking photos of him.

Several hours later Harry emerged from his hotel, hiding any signs of exhaustion behind a pair of sunglasses.

In Memphis he and his group are expected to stay at the £1,300-a-night Peabody Hotel, where the rooftop bar has been voted ‘best pick-up joint’.

The hotel is just a short distance from the restaurant the brothers were spotted at on Thursday evening, but they and other members of the wedding party still arrived in a fleet of cars.



The high-society wedding ceremony, taking place on Saturday, is being held at the private Memphis Hunt and Polo Club in Tennessee - in 200 acres of landscaped countryside – which is close to the bride’s family home.

Harry and the Duke of Cambridge are both expected to be ushers at the wedding. The Duchess of Cambridge has remained in the UK with baby son Prince George.

However, the three-day celebrations are expected to start on Friday night, with a visit to the former home of Elvis Presley, Graceland.

Pensive: Cressida Bonas, pictured in London yesterday, looked animated as she speaks to a friend on her cell







The royals, who are expected to stay for two days, will have the chance to have a tour of Graceland, wandering the Jungle Room, with its green shaggy carpets, the Trophy Building which houses all The King’s awards, as well as the luxury living room – all decorated with furnishings from the eras Elvis lived in the property.



William, Harry and the Pelly wedding party are also expected to head to Beale Street in downtown Memphis to dine and have drinks.

The road, which had been known for the blues since the early 1900s, is now a bustling tourist attraction, featuring music-themed bars, shops and restaurants.



The princes have reportedly been told to keep a low profile during the trip. Nightclub entrepreneur Pelly is reportedly considered a ‘bad influence’ on Prince Harry, and even arranged the Duke of Cambridge’s stag do.



Other royals who will attend the wedding include Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.

