ROYAL fever has swept the Tweed and not even the humble quilter has managed to escape it.

The Cane Valley Quilters, a group of skilled sewers and hopeless romantics, plan to dress the part while they carry out their craft at a bi-weekly meeting today.

It seems love for the monarchy is still alive and well in the area as a host of celebratory events have sprung up around the map.

In fact, about 15 lovely ladies dressed to the nines in hats and gloves will gather at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Racecourse Rd, Murwillumbah.

“When we last met we talked about the royal wedding and we thought we should have a bit of fun with it,” quilter Kay Bewes said.

“One thing led to another and by the end of the session it was decided we should all dress up for the occasion.”

The group has two women aged in their 80s – one of them, “Dorothy”, has decided against the hat to channel more of a Cinderella look.

“I think Dorothy is planning to wear a tiara and to carry a magic wand,” Ms Bewes said, an indication of the group’s light-hearted social nature if ever there was one.

The Cane Valley Quilters consists of embroiders, crochets and other talented types.

“It is really just a fun group. We’ve been meeting at the church for four years and everyone sort of does their own thing,” Ms Bewes said.

“The girls have just finished making 20 charity quilts for a local women’s refuge.”

You can’t blame the women for their enthusiasm, especially when you consider the event seems to have managed to capture the collective imagination of most of the world.

An estimated two billion people will tune into the event worldwide and coverage begins on major networks from 7.30pm.