Palermo protests over Dua Lipa and Calum Turner wedding

Pop star Dua Lipa and British actor Calum Turner held a three‑day luxury wedding celebration in Sicily, with events at venues such as Palazzo Gangi, Villa Valguarnera and Villa Igiea. The festivities, valued at around €4 million ($1.7 million to $4 million depending on reports), attracted over 200 guests from the music, film and fashion worlds, including names like Elton John and Donatella Versace.

To secure the event, authorities set up heightened police cordons, closed public squares such as Piazza Sant'Anna and Piazza Croce dei Vespri, imposed a drone‑restriction zone and limited traffic in parts of Palermo. Local residents and activist group “Apru Palermo” organized protests, posting signs that read “Palermo is not for rent” and accusing the city of being turned into a backdrop for the wealthy. Mayor Roberto Lagala defended the closure, citing expected economic benefits and international exposure. The demonstrations highlighted tensions between luxury tourism and everyday life for Palermo’s citizens.