Elvis fanatic rocks up the aisle

Published on Thursday 16 August 2007 12:24

AS he watched her walk down the aisle, Robert Harland knew he would always share his wife's heart with another man.

But the Edinburgh mechanic had already made his new bride's dream come true by suggesting they wed at the home of her other love - Elvis Presley.

Robert married Beverly King - the perfect surname for a lifelong Elvis fanatic - at Graceland yesterday, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the singer's death.

The ceremony took place before family and Elvis fans from around the world at the Chapel in the Woods on the estate in Memphis, Tennessee.

Beverly, 37, organised their big day when she visited the city last year after Robert popped the question in November and suggested they wed at Graceland.

Speaking from Memphis the day before her wedding, the mother-of-one said: "It was Robert's idea to get married here because he knows I'm a big Elvis fan. Getting married is special enough but to do it in an anniversary week is even more special."

The groom got together with Beverly, who is medically retired, nearly three years ago and appears content to take second place in his new wife's affections.

He said: "He takes up a good majority of her heart and I have a tiny space."

Though the father-of-three has got used to listening to Elvis "24 hours a day", Robert appreciated that when they redecorated their home in Corstorphine, where they live with Beverly's son Marcus, she removed most of the Elvis memorabilia from the living room.

"It's now by the side of her bed," said Robert. "I don't mind. If she's happy, I'm happy."

Minutes before Tuesday's rehearsal the groom was still free of last-minute nerves. "I'm not nervous, more excited," he said.

"We're not allowed to dress as Elvis as that is seen as disrespectful. Instead we'll be in full Highland dress and have a piper who'll play us in and out."

The Graceland events co-ordinator, who arranged everything down to the cake, took Beverly to see the chapel when visited Memphis last year. "It has all been really stress-free," said Beverly.

Dressing up in white jumpsuits or other Elvis-style memorabilia in the ceremony was never part of the deal. "It will all be done with dignity and decorum," added Beverly. Robert went down on one knee in a jewellers in the Gyle Shopping Centre and they chose August 15 to marry, instead of today's anniversary. "The chapel isn't open on the 16th. It wouldn't be right," said Beverly.

Inside the chapel, there is space on the antique wooden pews for up to 50 guests to watch the bride and groom exchange vows in front of a stained-glass window, which is a replica of the stained-glass transom above the Graceland mansion's front door.

Beverly's parents travelled to Memphis with the couple as well as her aunt, the best man and Robert's sister and nephew. Robert's mum also arrived to surprise him two days before the ceremony.

After the ceremony the wedding party was going to eat at Marlowes, a favourite restaurant amongst fans, on Elvis Presley Boulevard. The couple are set to remain in Memphis until August 23.

Elvis fan dies as heatwave hits anniversary vigil

AN Elvis Presley fan died as thousands gathered in the US to mark the 30th anniversary of the singer's death in temperatures of more than 40C.

The 67-year-old woman was found dead yesterday afternoon inside a trailer at a campground near the graveside procession site in Memphis. The Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office said the heat contributed to her death.

The Memphis Fire Department said it also treated at least six people overcome by heat, including an eight-year-old boy who was taken to hospital.

Temperatures in Memphis have topped 100F (38C) for six days in a row, and the Tennessee authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activities. Seven deaths in the Memphis area have been linked to the heat wave.

The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated up to 75,000 people would be drawn to town for the anniversary week.

Some fans began lining up for the candlelight vigil early in the morning.

Mary Powell said she took up her post at 5am. "A lot of people would say I'm crazy, but this has to do with my love for Elvis. He did so much for his fans," she said.