AJ was a guest in grounds of Windsor Castle
The happy couple greet well-wishers after the ceremony A Perthshire teenager has described attending the grounds of Windsor Castle on the day Prince Harry married Meghan Markle as “breathtaking”.
AJ Macgregor was one of more than 2640 members of the public who were a stone’s throw from St George’s Chapel when the newlyannointed Duke and Duchess of Sussex took their vows on Saturday.
Local lad AJ, who is originally from Blairgowrie but has lived in Alyth with his mum, Wendy Henderson, and step-dad Keith Henderson for the last eight years, was among 1200 people to be given the chance of a lifetime as a result of demonstrating what was described as “leadership in their communities”.
The 17-year-old is nearing the end of a year serving as one of the region’s two lord lieutenant cadets and travelled to the UK capital with dad, Sandy Macgregor, after receiving the invitation from Brigadier Melville Jameson – who is Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in Perth and Kinross.
AJ, a member of the Blairgowrie Black Watch ACF – which meets on Tuesdays at the Cadet Hall on the town’s Union Street – said an early arrival meant he was given the opportunity to have a spell in the spotlight following a chance encounter with one of scores of media outlets present on the day.
He explained: “We were staying in a hotel about 15 minutes away from Windsor the night before and when we were picked up on the morning of the wedding there was absolutely no traffic, which we were all amazed about.
“When we were queuing up in the grounds I was interviewed by a German TV company. They asked me things like why I was there, what I thought of Harry and Meghan and if I had anything I’d like to say to them. I didn’t know what to say to be honest so I just said ‘many happy returns’.”
AJ went on: “There were quite a few people there I knew from the cadets and everyone was speaking and getting on. It was great. You could tell everyone was happy to be there.
“We were literally a stone’s throw from the chapel and it was great seeing all the guests arrive. Prince Harry and Prince William walked right past us and we got a great view when Meghan Markle’s car went past us.
“We were so close we could hear the music from inside the chapel. It all sounded great.”
Talented piper AJ, a pipe sergeant with Blairgowrie and Rattray Pipe Band who also competes with Coupar Angus Pipe Band, also said he enjoyed being close to a number of the celebrity guests.
He revealed: “We were so close to the guests if you shouted their name they could hear you. I shouted hello to James Corden and he turned around and waved at me.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go to quite a few events through the cadets and met a lot of the royal family but this was definitely the most high-profile.
“The whole thing was breathtaking. Even though it was a formal occasion everyone was relaxed and pleased for Harry and Meghan.”
AJ thanked Brigadier Jameson for the invitation.