They are not the dogs you can ask to fetch or the cats you can cuddle. Neither are they the goldfish or hamsters that your kids can take care of. These animals are best viewed from afar. They are the most dangerous animals in the world.

African Elephant

The largest land animal in the world may seem cute and friendly, but are certainly no Dumbo. They are extremely smart and have long memories brought about by their massive 11-pound brain. They can hear anyone coming from afar because of their big ears. They can smell anything and anyone from a mile away. Not that they would run away from you, as their mammoth size makes them big enough to tangle with anybody, even the mighty lion. And they are unpredictable, sometimes attacking for seemingly no reason from half a kilometer away. They are fast, with speeds that would leave even Usain Bolt in their dust. And they have awesome strength, with the ability to knock down trees with 4-feet thick trunks, or to flip a rhinoceros up to 14 feet above their heads into the air.

African Lion

Lions can grow up to more than 9 feet tall, weigh up to 550 pounds, run over 50 miles per hour over 100 meters, jump up 4 feet into the air, and leap down 40 feet from the top. And they can do all these running and jumping around with a prey in their mouth. If those still do not scare you, lions move around in packs. They hunt by surrounding a target and ambushing it. And they are also smart animals. There have been instances when they have slashed the tires of Safari vehicles carrying tourists. Guides have learned to ward them off by playing recordings of elephants trumpeting and stomping.

Sea Wasp Box Jellyfish

They may look squishy and all, but just try antagonizing them. They are packed with the most lethal venom in the sea. While it only weighs 4.5 pounds, it has 15 tentacles that can reach up to 10 feet. Their venom emits a glow that will scare off other sea creatures. They feed on shrimps, small fishes, and other box jellyfish. Even just a slight sting could cause agonizing pain. Just ask the thousands of victims of jellyfish bites each year. In extreme situations when a victim gets wrapped around the sea wasp’s tentacles, the heart may stop beating within 3 minutes. The muscles may also get paralyzed even sooner than that.

Inland Taipan Snake

This is the counterpart of the sea wasp box jellyfish, in the sense that the inland taipan snake has the most lethal venom on land. The ironic thing about it is that snake actually has a very passive temperament that provided they are devenomized, they actually make good aquarium pets. They feed on rodents and only attack when cornered and provoked. There have been no human deaths recorded from a taipan attack yet, and that’s probably because they are located deep in the outback. But in case an attack happens, good luck to the victim. It can inject up to 110,000 micrograms of venom, when a lethal dose only requires 30 micrograms. The venom contains taipoxin, one of the most powerful natural toxins. An anti venom exists that is 100% guaranteed, but you have to do it within 45 minutes, and even then, you should have a resting pulse. If you run, you will probably drop dead within 300 meters. Remember that this is the outback, and there’s no hospital within 200 miles.

Polar Bear

At 1,500 pounds, a polar bear can actually rip off your head with one swing. They eat elephant seals for breakfast, and those animals are not exactly tiny beings. It is the largest carnivore on land, and is considered the largest bear in the world. Good thing they are limited to the Arctic, where the human population is relatively sparse. Cuddly and cute, but they are dangerous and menacing.

Mosquito

They can breed in the smallest body of water, say, a soda cap. And they breed a lot and they do it fast. They transmit diseases between humans and other animals. West Nile, roundworms, tularemia, dengue, yellow fever, and malaria…these are just some of the diseases that they can transmit. Mosquitoes are tiny but mighty.

Shark

Over 20 feet long, weighs 2.5 tons, and can swim more than five times faster than any Olympic 100-meter freestyle champion. It can detect the slightest movement and smell blood from five miles away. It can sense any action because of its sensory organ on the head called the Ampullae of Lorenzini. This allows them an extraordinary sense of perception that even superheroes could only dream of.

Cape Buffalo

This animal can grow up to 2,000 pounds and still run 40 miles per hour for more than 100 meters. They are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal in Africa, often goring or trampling them to death. And the weird thing is that they attack without any need for provocation. It is legal to hunt them in Africa, but hunters usually avoid them because if you miss your shot, the buffalo will make you regret it.

Clostridium Botulinum

It is present everywhere, from the desert to the South Pole, on land and under the sea. No creature is immune to this bacterium. A mere .000001-milligram for every kilogram is enough to kill any organism. A teaspoon has the capacity to kill every American, and 4 kilograms can wipe out the human race. It can survive boiling water for 10 minutes. It’s a good thing that it takes a lot for the bacterium to become active and dangerous. Even if you swallow dirt with this toxin, it still won’t grow because of the acid in your digestive tract.

Traveling is such an exciting proposition. It gets even more exciting if you head out to exotic places seldom visited by tourists. It becomes most thrilling if it will land you in some of the most difficult runways and airplane approaches on earth. Here is a list of the top 10 most dangerous airports in the world.

10. Qamdo Bamda Airport, Tibet

It is also known as the Changdu Bangda Airport, this airport is located in Bamda, Qamdo in Tibet in China. It is considered as the highest airport in the world at an elevation of 4,334 meters. It also has the longest publicly-used paved runway in the world at 5.5 kilometers. The thin air in the place means that passengers alighting from the plane may feel some dizziness and light headedness. The engines of aircrafts must also put up with more stress as the higher elevation means that less thrust is produced.

9. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba Island

The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located in the Netherlands’ island in the Caribbean called Saba. Its runways have a length of only 400 meters and end with a cliff drop to the sea. High hills also flank one side of the runway. It is so dangerous that it has been officially declared as closed to traffic, although the Civil Aviation Authority of the Netherlands Antilles grants some exceptions.

8. Gustaf III Airport, Saint Barthelemy

Also known as Saint Barthelemy Airport or St. Jean Airport, Gustaf III Airport is located in the French-administered Caribbean island of Saint Barthelemy. It was named after the 18^th century king of Sweden after he bought the island from France, though it was later sold back in 1878. The airport has a short runway that usually accommodates only small aircrafts of less than 20 passengers. The runway is at the base of a slope that ends on the beach. Planes exercise caution during the approach because of the hilltop traffic. Planes taking off do so right over the heads of people sunbathing at the beach.

7. Ice Runway, Antarctica

The Ice Runway is owned by the United States and is the principal airstrip for the country’s Antarctic program during the summer field season. While there are a couple of other runways in the area, namely Williams Field and Pegasus Field, the Ice Runway was developed for passenger transportation in order to free up the capacity for cargo space brought by the C17 aircraft. It can handle wheeled aircraft, including the Boeing 757. While pilots say that the surface is as stable as cement during landing, the problem occurs when the plane comes to a stop as it can sink the ice, though only in inches.

6. Courchevel Airport, France

Courchevel Airport is an airport that serves the ski area in the French Alps. It has an upslope runway that is adjacent to a popular area for ski runs. Aircrafts cannot make landings during fogs or low clouds because of the airport’s lack of instrument approach procedures. Its runway measures only 525 meters long. It primarily serves only small fixed winged aircrafts and helicopters. The airfield itself has an elevation of 6,588 meters.

5. Barra International Airport, Scotland

Barra International Airport is also known as the Barra Eoligarry Airport. It is located in Barra Island in Outer Hebrides in Scotland. It is the only airport in the world that actually uses a beach as a runway. When high tide comes, the runways actually go under the sea. Thus, flights are scheduled based on the tide. The airport has short runways, with three runways forming a triangle marked by permanent wooden poles at the ends. Small aircrafts like Twin Otters can land into the wind.

4. Toncontin International Airport, Honduras

Toncontin International Airport is also known as the Teniente Coronel Hernan Acosta Mejia Airport. It is located in Tegucigalpa in Honduras and serves both civilian and military aircrafts. It has a short runway and is extremely close to mountain terrains. Its runways are significantly shorter than other international airports, despite recent efforts to extend its length. The single asphalt runway measures only 2,163 meters and sits at an elevation of 1,005 meters.

3. Tenzing Hillary Airport, Nepal

Tenzing Hillary Airport is also known as Lukia Airport. It is named after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first people to reach the peak of Mount Everest. It is located in the place where hikers begin their climb to the base camp of Mount Everest. It is almost always beset with high winds and cloud cover, making visibility unpredictable even though the skies may be clear and the sun is shining in the capital of Kathmandu. The runway measures only 460 meters and can only accommodate small planes and helicopters. Due to the terrain, arriving planes can use only one runway. Departing aircrafts use another.

2. Madeira Airport, Portugal

Madeira Airport is also known as Santa Catarina Airport or Funchal Airport. It is located in Madeira Island in Portugal. The ocean and high mountains surround the runway. Once infamous for its short runway, Portuguese authorities were able to double it through outstanding engineering. Instead of reclaiming land from the sea, they decided to build a series of 180 columns measuring 70 meters tall. The ingenuity shown in extending the runway earned the airport recognition from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.

1. Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar

Gibraltar International Airport is a civilian airport in the British territory of Gibraltar. The airport’s runway intersects with Winston Churchill Avenue, the main road leading to the border with Spain. Traffic therefore has to be stopped every time a plane lands or departs. The terminal features the scenic Rock of Gibraltar in its background. Though considered a British territory in which the ownership is disputed by Spain, the airport is also widely used by people going to or coming from the nearby Spanish areas of Costa del Sol and Campo de Gibraltar

10. Safra A. Catz

Safra Catz is an American businesswoman. Starting in April 2011, she is the Chief Financial Officer and Co-president of Oracle Corporation where she reports to the founder Larry Ellison. She earned her degree at the University of Pennsylvania in the year 1983. She was known for driving the efforts to acquire PeopleSoft which is their rival. She was considered the 12th most powerful businesswoman by Fortune and ranked 16th by Forbes in 2009. She had a total compensation of $51,695,742 in 2011.

9. Mark V. Hurd

Mark Hurd is a director, co-president and board member of Oracle. He was also the past chairman and president of Hewlett-Packard. He is also a member of an elite council of professionals in IT companies. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Baylor University. In the year 2008 his total compensation was $33,952,237 and in the year 2011 it went up to $51,697,623. This successful person believes in the concept of “pay for performance”.

8. David M. Zaslav

Since January 2007, he was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Discovery Communications. He was the previous executive of NBC Universal. David Zaslav earned his degree at Binghamton University and also graduated from Boston University School of Law with honors. His first profession was an attorney in New York. He played an important part in the founding of CNBC and MSNBC. His total compensation for 2011 was $52,404,119.

7. Eduardo H. Cue

Since September 2011, Eduardo Cue is the Senior Vice President of Apple, Inc. He oversees content stores of Apple like the iBook store, iTunes Store and the revolutionary App Store. He is among the veterans of Apple and is a leader of many amazing people in the company. He contributed a lot in the milestones of the company like the online store of Apple in the year 1998, in 2003 the ITunes Music Store and in the year 2008 the App store. He gained $52,952,975 total compensation in 2011.

6. Ronald B. Johnson

Ronald Johnson is currently the CEO of J.C. Penney. Before getting his recent position, He was Senior Vice President at Apple and he lead their retail operation. He was among the pioneers of the concept of Genius Bar and Apple Retail Stores. He earned his Master Degree in Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. His total compensation in 2011 reached $53,281,505.

5. Leslie Moonves

Leslie Moonves is the Chief Executive and President of the CBS Corporation. He was the director of ZeniMax Media starting from 1999. He had a chance to work with 20th Century Fox Television where he was in-charge in pay and syndication of cable programming. In the same company, he also became Vice President leading the mini-series and movies. He earned $68,422,211 as total compensation in 2011.

4. Larry J. Ellison

Larry Ellison is the chief executive and co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He is considered to be the sixth wealthiest man in the world with his stock in the Oracle Company. He was able to make a database project for the CIA which was named “Oracle”. In the year 1977 he established Software Development Laboratories together with two partners. The name of the company changed to Relational Software, Inc. and now became Oracle. His total compensation in the year 2011 is $96,160,696.

3 . Eric E. Schmidt

Eric Schmidt is a businessman, software engineer and the executive chairman of the well-known Google Company. In the year 2013, he was considered as the 138th richest person in the world. In the early days of his career, he was among the authors of Lex Software for the Unix computer OS. Starting 1997, he was the chief executive of Novell until 2001. Since 2001 he works as the CEO of Google. His estimated wealth is $8.2 billion.

2. David Simon

David Simon is a journalist, author, producer and writer of television series. He was the producer and writer of NBC series: Homicide: Life on the Street. Also, he is the one who created the television series The Wire on HBO. In the series, he served as the head writer, executive producer and show runner. He is currently the Chief Executive officer and chairman of the Simon Property Group. He earned a total compensation of $137,166,545 in 2011.

1. Tim Cook

Tim Cook is now the CEO and Business Executive of Apple Inc. Mr. Cook joined apple in the year 1998 and is the successor of the late Steve Jobs. His first designation was Senior Vice President in the company’s operation worldwide. He had done a lot of initiatives which contributed a lot to the success of the company. In 2011 he had a total compensation of $377,996,537.

When one gets sick, not only do you not feel well, you also need to splash out hard-earned money just to try to get back to normal. Sicknesses and diseases provide a double whammy to the person’s body and their finances.
They say that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, but what about the diseases that are congenital and unavoidable? Besides, nobody in their right mind would want to suffer any kind of sickness if given a choice. Yet, every year, one out of every 500 people spends more than $100,000 in hospital bills.

Even worse is if you suffer from medical conditions that would really take a toll on both your body and bank account. Here are the 10 most expensive hospital treatments.

10. HIV – $25,000

It used to be a death sentence. There was a time when those with HIV were ostracized and treated differently. Though there is still a stigma associated with the disease, it surely has come a long way from the 80′s and early 90′s. Earvin Magic Johnson, the basketball superstar who had to retire from the sport in the early 90′s because of the disease, is still around and seemingly healthy. Of course, he has to take an expensive cocktail of drugs and medicine to keep his body going.

9. Cancer – $49,000

Probably everyone in this world knows someone who has suffered from cancer. Cancer is defined as a malignant neoplasm and can cover a wide range of different diseases that all involve the unregulated growth of cells. It has the ability to divide and invade other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. There are currently more than 200 forms of cancer known to afflict humans. Some may not require intensive treatments, although a good percentage do need chemotherapy and even surgery. Amounts to be spent can thus range anywhere from $14,000 to $123,000.

8. Transplant – $51,000

Transplants can be done to help replace a damaged or absent one. It can be done from one person to another, with the source either living or cadaveric. Organs that can be transplanted include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine and thymus. Tissues can also be transplanted, like skin, bones, tendons, cornea, veins and heart valves. The most common organ transplants are the kidney, liver and heart, while the most common tissue transplants are the cornea and the tendons.

7. Stroke – $61,000

A stroke occurs when there is a disturbance in the supply of blood to the brain, resulting in the rapid loss of brain function. Hemorrhage or ischemia, or the lack of blood flow, may cause this. The lack of blood flow may occur because of blockage resulting from thrombosis or arterial embolism. A stroke victim may be unable to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, understand or formulate speech or see one side of the visual field. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Risk factors include high blood pressure, old age, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco smoking and atrial fibrillation.

6. Hemophilia – $62,000

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that is hereditary in nature. It can impair a person’s ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is imperative in order to stop bleeding in case of a broken blood vessel. The disease is more likely to manifest itself in male patients because it is an X-chromosome disorder. Those suffering from this disease are likely to bleed for a longer time than other people, with even a minor injury resulting in blood loss that could last for days or weeks.

5. Heart Attack, with Cardiac Revascularization – $72,000

Medically, it is known as a myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction. Heart attacks result from the interruption of blood supply to the heart muscle due to blockage of an artery. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations, vomiting, anxiety and sweating. One technique to widen the artery is through angioplasty. To ensure that the blood vessel remains open, a stent may be placed when the procedure is done.

4. Coronary Artery Disease – $75,000

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is the most common type of heart disease and can cause heart attacks. It is caused by the build up of plaque along the inner walls of the heart’s arteries. It thus narrows the arteries and restricts the flow of blood to the heart. Therapeutic options include drugs, medical interventions like angioplasty and bypass surgery.

3. Neonate, or Premature Babies, with Extreme Problems – $101,000

It is probably one of the worst feelings in the world, to have a newly born baby beset with sickness and diseases. And the risk becomes greater when the baby is born prematurely. These infants are at greater risk of both short and long term complications. This is because the baby’s organs are not yet mature enough to allow normal survival after birth. Advances have been made however in the care of premature babies. Still, the prevalence of preterm deaths is high and it is one of the top causes of deaths among infants worldwide.

2. End-Stage Renal Disease – $173,000

End-stage renal disease is also known as chronic kidney disease. It involves the progressive loss of renal function over several months or years. Most at risk are those with high blood pressure, diabetes or those with relatives who also have the disease. It can be identified through a blood test for creatinine. Once the disease reaches the fifth stage, it becomes known as end-stage renal disease with the patient suffering from severe illness and poor life expectancy if untreated.

1. Respiratory Failure on Ventilator – $314,000

Respiratory failure occurs when there is inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system. Oxygen and carbon dioxide, or both, levels cannot be maintained within normal ranges. This usually afflicts patients in intensive care. It may be caused by a variety of conditions, including pulmonary dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, fatigue, neurological disease, drug intoxication and others.

10. Bird Poop Facial – $215

Bird Poop Facial is an authentic Japanese beauty treatment that was originally practiced by geishas. It is available in a high-end spa in New York City. Bird poop allegedly has magical and special enzymes that take off dead skin cells and result in a glowing and polished looking skin. This facial treatment has been popularized by style and fashion icon Victoria Beckham who is said to be a loyal and big fan of this procedure. She reportedly applies this unique facial treatment twice a month.

9. UMO 24-Carat Gold Facial – $600

The UMO 24-Carat Gold Facial is being offered at The Beauty Clinic in London. When you undergo this facial treatment, your skin will be massaged with Gamma PGA, an intensely hydrating compound. Afterwards, sheets of pure gold will be gently smoothed onto your face. After you undergo an intense massage, the gold sheets are promptly removed and discarded. This procedure leaves you with a 24-carat complexion. It promises to help reduce your wrinkles, bring you firm and bright skin, boost the production of skin cells, and get rid of toxins.

8. Triple Lift Luxury Facial – $650

The Triple Lift Luxury Facial is an anti-aging facial treatment being offered by The Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula in New York. The procedure aims to boost cellular metabolism by means of two manual lift treatments that will be followed by an advanced bio-electrotherapy using the Remodeling Face Machine. This facial treatment claims that it can hydrate, lift, and shave off the years.

7. The Grand Luxe Facial – $750

The Grand Luxe Facial is being offered at the Spa Radiance in San Francisco. This three-hour procedure begins with the application of a combination of a cleansing diamond peel on  your face to exfoliate and deeply cleanse your skin and micro currents that give you all the benefits of a facelift minus the surgical procedure. Afterwards, a rich caviar mask filled with amino acids is slathered on your face to plump the skin. The Grand Luxe Facial is capped with an LED light therapy. To further enhance your experience, another therapist is assigned to gently massage your whole body for the entire duration of the procedure.

6. White Caviar Illuminating Facial – $1,000

The White Caviar Illuminating Facial is being offered by the La Prairie at the Ritz-Carlton in New York. This procedure uses golden caviar that promises to diminish age spots and brighten the skin. If you find the $1,000-worth White Caviar Illuminating Facial quite costly, you may opt to get the caviar spa package at $495. The package includes an hour-long caviar body massage that will be followed by a caviar-firming facial.

5. Vampire Facial – $1,500

This bizarre and odd facial treatment reportedly uses your own body’s platelet rich plasma to enhance your beautiful looks. A small quantity of your blood is extracted from the arm area. The extracted blood is spun inside a centrifuge to separate the platelets. Afterwards, the blood is injected back to the face to give you a radiant and glowing complexion. This expensive facial treatment has been popularized by American reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has drawn flak for introducing this extraordinary procedure.

4. L. Raphael Oxy Star Anti-Pigmentation Facial Treatment – $1,590

The L. Raphael Oxy Star Anti-Pigmentation Facial Treatment is being offered by the Palace Spa in Gstaad, Switzerland. This luxurious procedure involves a 50-minute treatment where you can get to try the L. Raphael collection of oxygen services like the L. Raphael Oxy Peel Perfection Elixir facial therapy. You can also try the L. Raphael Oxy Anti-Aging, Anti-Cellulite and Tightening body treatment that costs $1,057. L. Raphael is known for providing high-performance face and body treatments and advanced skin care products that combine proprietary ingredients and exclusive technology that appeal to all types of skin conditions. The company has more than 20 years of experience in scientific research and in the cosmetics and medical aesthetic services industry.

3. Evian Bath – $5,000

You will definitely have an unforgettable experience with this facial treatment that involves a refreshing, relaxing, and luxurious bath in 1,000 liters of Evian natural spring water with hundreds of gorgeous rose petals. This highly exclusive procedure is only available to selected special guests staying at the Hotel Victor, a high-end hotel in Miami. One of the purportedly lucky few who had the privilege of experiencing this treatment includes tennis super star Serena Williams. The package includes a couple of spa treatments, a bottle of champagne, and an exotic dessert.

2. HD Diamond and Ruby Peel – $7,000

The HD Diamond and Ruby Peel was formulated by Scott-Vincent Borba, a well-known aesthetician. This expensive treatment involves scrubbing of the face with crushed rubies and diamonds. Subsequently, a lactic acid peel will be gradually applied to the face to reveal a glowing skin. This luxurious treatment was popularized by the beautiful American actress, Mila Kunis, who reportedly had it done before the premiere of her film Friends with Benefits.

1. Bee Venom Facial – $55,200

In the Bee Venom Facial treatment, the bee venom is diluted and used with just 1% of the entire bottle to make sure that the procedure is painless. The exotic mask consists of shea butter, manuka honey, and lavender oil. A bottle of this facial treatment is very costly at over $55,200 but you have the option of getting a small jar at 50 ml, which only costs $112. One of the popular personalities who are allegedly using this luxurious facial treatment is Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is reported to have been applying this secret facial over the past few years to maintain her radiant and young looking skin.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer

Prince William’s parents were wed at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral 30 years ago, the lavish wedding attracted a worldwide audience of some 750 million people. The cost of the event has never been disclosed but it was undoubtedly an extravagant affair. Diana’s engagement ring, now worn by Kate Middleton, cost around £30,000 then, that’s about £85,000 in today’s money. And the show-stopping three-and-a-half minute walk up the aisle gave everyone a chance to see her unforgettable Emmanuel-designed ivory, taffeta and antique lace gown with that 25-foot train, which cost £9,000 then, about £25,000 today.

Al-Muhtadee Billah and Sarah Salleh

In 2004, Oxford-educated Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, heir to the Sultan of Brunei, married 17-year-old Sarah Pengiran Salleh at Nurul Iman Palace in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, in an elaborate affair. The wedding, which was estimated to cost £2.8 million, was pure extravagance, with endless ceremonies said to “showcase centuries of Bruneian tradition”. Countless royals and leaders from around the world attended the nuptials of the first-born son of the Sultan. The prince will eventually be the 30th sultan in an unbroken chain of rulers stretching back through Brunei’s more than 600 years as a Malay Muslim kingdom. The bride was born to a Bruneian father and a Swiss-born nurse, Suzanne Aeby.

Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling

When Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria married her former personal trainer Daniel Westling in June 2010, the bill topped 20 million kronor, about £1.9 million. Some 250,000 people, including an estimated 150,000 tourists, lined the streets of Stockholm to watch Sweden’s fairytale wedding take place in front of 1,000 dignitaries from around the world. The wedding had dominated the city’s life for weeks before, with lavish flower arrangements adorning the streets and Swedish furniture giant Ikea erecting a two-storey replica of the princess’ castle in the centre.

Crown Prince Pavlos and Marie-Chantal Miller

One of the most lavish ceremonies London has seen took place in July 1995 at St Sophia’s Cathedral in Bayswater, London, between the crown prince of Greece and an American heiress. The wedding, hosted by Marie-Chantal Miller’s father, billionaire Robert Warren Miller, reportedly cost £1 million and was attended by 1,400 prestigious guests, among them the late Queen Mother. No expense was spared, with the personal florist of the Danish royal family and six assistants flown in to decorate the cathedral with 30,000 pink flowers hung in garlands. The bride’s dress was made from pearl-encrusted ivory silk, with a 4.5-metre Chantilly lace train, and reportedly cost £150,000. Before the couple’s wedding, Marie-Chantal’s father provided her with a £200 million dowry.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III

You can bet it wasn’t cheap but then what do you expect when real royalty marries Hollywood ‘royalty’? And then they go and invite the entire adult population of Monaco to their celebration. After the prince and his filmstar bride’s civil ceremony, a lavish gala was held and all the Monegasque population could attend. In terms of wedding presents, Aristotle Onassis gave the happy couple a 147-foot yacht, while the people of Monaco gave them a cream and black Rolls-Royce convertible.

Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon

Going back through British history, one wedding stands out as having been a seriously lavish affair. That was in 1501 when Catherine of Aragon married Prince Arthur, son of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. While putting a cost on it is all but impossible this many years on, it’s safe to say that with the bride and groom dressed in robes made of gold cloth, and celebrations that lasted more than two weeks, this was not a cheap wedding. Historical journals say the accompanying celebrations included daily jousts, banquets, masked balls and nearly continuous dancing. When Arthur died, Catherine went on to marry his brother King Henry VIII.

Marie Antoinette and the future King Louis

The extravagant lifestyle of Marie Antoinette is legendary so it’s no surprise to discover that her wedding day was suitably lavish. She was still only a teenager when she walked down the aisle in an opulent gown decorated with diamonds and pearls in May 1770. A staggering six thousand guests attended the reception in the famous Hall of Mirrors at the grand Palace of Versailles. That was followed by a wedding ball that took place in the Opera theatre, which had been specially built for the royal wedding. As a wedding gift, her husband spared no expense in redesigning the Petit Trianon, a retreat built at the Palace of Versailles, for his new wife. Wedding planners say that Marie Antoinette’s famous love of all things opulent and indulgent means that the style of her wedding is still one of the most popular for brides today, who want to feel like a queen for a day.

John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier

They may not strictly be royalty but they’re arguably as close as you’ll get to it in American terms. And when JFK married a certain Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in September 1953, it was a suitably grand affair. The ceremony was performed in front of 800 notable guests by an archbishop, after a blessing from Pope Pius XII was read. The reception afterwards was held on a 300-acre seafront estate for more than 1,200 guests. The cake stood four feet tall and the bride wore an elaborate dress of ivory tissue silk and bouffant skirt with more than 50 yards of flounces.