TIME TO PARTY:
THE celebrations started early yesterday as thousands of visitors from around the world flooded into Windsor for the town’s biggest ever party.
Streets around the castle were turned into a sea of red, white and blue.
And it was the Stars and Stripes flying alongside the Union flag which showed the bride-to-be is set to add a touch of Hollywood glamour to the centuries-old traditions of the Royal Family.
Up to 150,000 well-wishers are expected to line the streets for the couple’s wedding ceremony in St George’s Chapel followed by a carriage procession.
Excited well-wishers have been camping out for days hoping to grab the best vantage points.
Police banned tents for security reasons, forcing royal fans to sleep on fold-up camping chairs.
Special
Grandmother Donna Werner, 66, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, took up position on Castle Hill on Tuesday evening.
She left her husband, three children and five grandchildren at home and flew 3,000 miles to catch a glimpse of the couple.
She said: “This is a real-life fairy tale of an ordinary girl who has met a prince who has swept her off her feet and now they are getting married in a castle.
“It’s a dream come true – and hopefully they will live happily ever after.”
Mrs Werner, who has braved chilly nights huddled in a sleeping bag, added: “I flew over from America specially for the wedding. I’m so excited and I’m certain that the wait will be worthwhile.
“This is such a big event back home in the States. Every time you turn on the TV that’s all they’re talking about. Every news headline is about the royal wedding.
“We all love your Royal Family back home and I’m thrilled that an American is about to be joining them. Princess Grace of Monaco was our first princess and this feels just as special.
“I think Princess Meghan will be a wonderful addition to the Royal Family and a great ambassador for both our countries.”
Sitting alongside her was former civil servant Bartly Graham, 29, who arrived on Wednesday morning from his home in County Durham.
He said: “We are going to be the first people to see Prince Harry and Meghan in their carriage when their procession starts after the wedding ceremony.
“We’ve been sitting here to make sure we don’t lose our place and taking it in turns to go to the toilet and bring back food and water.
“I’ve been planning this trip for some time. I checked the local hotels but they were asking £1,000 for a room for the night and now they are all fully booked.
“It is all definitely going to be worth the wait. This is a once in a lifetime occasion and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
“The highlight so far was at lunchtime on Thursday when we watched as they raised the Royal Standard to indicate that the Queen had arrived for the wedding. I can’t wait for it to get started.” By lunchtime yesterday the carnival atmosphere was in full swing as brass bands played I’m Getting Married In The Morning and The Wedding March.
Parents and their children, including young girls in princess dresses and tiaras, soaked up the atmosphere in the town which has been decked out in thousands of feet of bunting.
Shops reported a roaring trade and the local branch of M&S even renamed itself Markle and Sparkle in honour of the event.
Cafe-goers were able to get a flavour of Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake, with one bakery selling lemon and elderflower cupcakes decorated with red, white and
blue sprinkles. There was even a bride on hand. Carer Karen Lewis, 49, was tying the knot with her IT worker fiance Reggie Palmer, 59, at Windsor Guildhall, where Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005.
Karen, of Windsor, said: “I wasn’t expecting so many photographers at my wedding but it’s added a touch of magic to the occasion.
“We’ll be watching it on TV tomorrow like the rest of the country. I can’t wait.”
Windsor’s town crier Chris Brown was on hand in full ceremonial dress. He said: “The atmosphere is electric.
“The mayor has asked me to be here to welcome the guests – 150,000 of them.”
Just yards from the castle, business was booming at the Prince Harry pub, formerly the Three Tuns. The 500-year-old inn unveiled its new name earlier this week.
The Prince and his brideto-be were on hand to welcome revellers yesterday – but only in the form of life-size cardboard cutouts.
Customers were downing pints of Windsor Knot pale ale, brewed specially for the occasion.