Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s Palermo wedding sparks local backlash over public space use
Authorities have reportedly closed public areas and enforced strict security measures for the event
Lavish wedding celebrations for singer Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner in Palermo have sparked backlash among local residents, with protests erupting over the use of public spaces for the high-profile event.
The couple, who reportedly held a legal ceremony in London last weekend, are set to host a second wedding celebration in Sicily, where tightened security measures and public restrictions have drawn criticism from sections of the city’s community.
In preparation for the star-studded event, two public squares in Palermo have been closed off, with residents also reportedly asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Additional restrictions include road closures and drone-free zones, as organisers seek to maintain strict privacy around the ceremony.
The scale of the arrangements has triggered frustration among locals, some of whom have placed posters around the city reading “Palermo is not for rent” and “Our square is not your living room,” in protest against the perceived privatisation of public spaces.
Other messages posted by an anti-tourism group called for residents to reclaim public areas, stating that shared spaces should remain free from private events and commercial use.
Tensions escalated further after organisers reportedly removed some of the posters, prompting activists to respond by repainting slogans in graffiti form to ensure they could not be easily erased.
In one of Palermo’s historic squares, Piazza Croce dei Vespri, additional graffiti was also reported, including explicit messages scrawled on a marble column.
While organisers have not publicly confirmed full details of the event, sources suggest the celebration is being treated as a controlled “demonstration production,” with heavy security involvement and limited public access in affected areas.
According to local reports, some officials have described the setup as a staging exercise rather than a traditional wedding ceremony, a framing that has further fueled public skepticism about transparency surrounding the event.
Despite the controversy, the celebrations are expected to continue this weekend, with high-profile guests reportedly including Sir Elton John, Charli XCX, and Donatella Versace.