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The Big Apple has been sparkling a little brighter these past few days with celebrity friends and family of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spotted in the city — presumably for the superstar couple’s expected wedding today at Madison Square Garden.
The only problem is, we won’t see it. A massive security operation around the iconic Manhattan arena — fit for King Charles himself — is making sure of that. More on that in a moment.
Like many details of the event, the guest list has remained tightly guarded. Even so, several outlets have reported sightings of the singer’s and NFL star’s inner circle across the city.
Several of Swift’s celebrity friends including Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, Graham Norton, Jack Antonoff, Suki Waterhouse and Anya Taylor-Joy were seen out and about, according to Cosmopolitan, Elle and People.
Swift’s close friends Lena Dunham and rumoured bridesmaid Selena Gomez were also spotted before the reported rehearsal dinner on Thursday.
Meanwhile, friends of Kelce have reportedly been seen near hotels around the Garden including Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Kelce’s longtime pals Reggie King, Ross Travis, André Eanes and Joe Oravec.
His mother, Donna Kelce, was also seen arriving in New York on Thursday, according to People.
A permit issued by the city for Friday’s event allows for roughly 1,000 guests, but their names are shrouded in secrecy and they’re expected to enter the arena through undisclosed entrances.
The rehearsal dinner, per another permit filed with the city, apparently took place Thursday with an intimate group of about 100 guests, though a white tent at the arena’s VIP entrance blocked TV crews and curious onlookers.
(Meanwhile, Page Six has reported the pair may have already gotten legally married at an undisclosed location.)
Tight security
If this is, as many Swifties have dubbed it, “America’s Royal Wedding,” then the level of security and police presence is every bit as grand.
Police have been lining the streets around the Garden, especially along Seventh and Eighth avenues, though their presence isn’t entirely surprising given the city is also facing World Cup and Independence Day celebrations.
WATCH | Tight security at apparent wedding:
But there may be more of them on the street than originally planned. The Hollywood Reporter says — citing a source “with knowledge of police movements” — that all officers were removed from the arena and positioned outside “at the hostess’ request, for fear of capturing intentionally or inadvertently, a detail that might end up in the wrong hands, or worse, a viral TikTok account.”
The trade publication also reported that snipers were spotted atop the roof of the Garden.
Police have also set up crowd-control barriers and “no parking” signs around the venue in anticipation of throngs of Swift fans.
And don’t even think about launching a drone for a better look. During a news briefing earlier this week — which nodded to city’s busy weekend without getting too specific — NYPD police commissioner Jessica Tish said the department’s aviation and drone teams would be in the skies, watching for illegal drones in restricted airspace.
Even amid the extensive security planning, the celebrity couple also reportedly found time to give back in a major way.
According to People, a representative for Swift said the couple donated $26 million US to several charities ahead of the big event, including food banks, children’s hospitals, music and education programs, and animal welfare organizations.
Several of the charities later took to Instagram to express their surprise and gratitude.
