Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's extravagant second wedding celebration in Sicily, costing £1.5 million, has led to the closure of public squares, roadblocks, and NDAs for residents, sparking protests with messages like 'Palermo is not for rent' as locals fight to reclaim their city from private event monopolization.
New pictures have emerged showing pop superstar Dua Lipa and her husband Callum Turner celebrating in style on the first day of their lavish wedding festivities in Sicily .
The couple, who tied the knot in a low-key London ceremony last weekend after getting engaged in July 2025, are now hosting a second, extravagant series of events on the Italian island. Images capture the pair posing for photos, sipping cocktails, dancing, and sharing kisses amidst what has been dubbed the "wedding of the year.
" Their celebration, estimated to cost £1.5 million, includes A-list guests such as Charli XCX and has transformed parts of Palermo into a private party zone. However, the grandeur comes at a cost to local residents, who have expressed growing frustration over the extensive closures and perceived privatization of public spaces. Across walls and monuments in the historical center, Sicilians have plastered signs with messages reading, "Palermo is not for rent" and "Our square is not your living room.
" Two town squares, Piazza Sant'Anna and Piazza dei Vespri, have been closed to the public for the week, with nearby residents reportedly required to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent details from leaking. Roads have been blocked off, and no-drone zones enforced, all under a heavy police presence intended to guarantee the couple's privacy.
Before the main festivities began, organizers tore down the protest posters, which only incensed locals further, leading them to write their messages directly on walls, where they would be harder to remove. One resident, bar worker Clarissa, voiced a common sentiment: "I really like Dua Lipa's music and admire her for all the activism she does.
But while it's a pleasure to hold the celebrations in Palermo, it has brought a lot of problems - for example, for three days we've been forced to park miles away and walk to work. It's not right to block the city - I could understand if it was for the Pope, but not for a singer.
" Another resident blasted, "Public spaces belong to everyone. We reclaim the right to live them, free from private profit.
" Italian media has extensively covered the couple's arrival, hyping the event as a major spectacle. Meanwhile, fans and supporters argue the wedding provides a significant economic boost to the region.
Authorities have faced criticism for a lack of transparency; it's believed they initially informed locals that the square closures were for a "demonstration production" rather than a celebrity wedding, a claim echoed by sources who told The Sun, "Officials have made up this 'demonstration production in the square' in Piazza Sant'Anna and Piazza dei Vespri as an excuse to put up barriers and keep pedestrians out.
" The security detail is a mix of private personnel and local police, described as "top secret" by insiders. The celebrations are set to continue over several days. After events on Friday at the Palazzo Gangi and Galleria d'Arte Moderna, the party will move on Saturday to the town of Bagheria, where a second ceremony will take place at the baroque estate Villa Valguarnera.
The couple and their approximately 200 guests are staying at the luxurious five-star Villa Igiea Hotel, which costs £6,000 per night and has also been secured off from the public. Dua Lipa, with a net worth estimated at $45 million, and actor Callum Turner, worth around $10 million, have reportedly spared no expense to create what a source called a "true fairytale wedding.
" The source added that last-minute preparations have been hectic, with Dua returning to Italy for dress fittings, but insisted "it's all coming together perfectly. " The relationship between the two became serious in early 2024, culminating in their engagement last July.
While the spectacle continues, the backlash from Palermo residents highlights the tension between global celebrity culture and local community rights, raising questions about the use of public spaces for private events and the impact of high-profile tourism on everyday life
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