Countdown: Three days to go
Special stamps
London: Stamps featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are going on sale to celebrate the royal wedding.
The Royal Mail has produced a special set of four stamps showing two of Harry and the American star’s engagement portraits.
The images for the souvenir miniature sheet were taken by New Yorkbased photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Frogmore House in Windsor in December.
Lubomirski, who described the couple as being ‘‘so deliciously in love‘‘, was also chosen by Harry and Markle as their official wedding photographer.
The stamps will be released on the morning of the wedding, which takes place this Saturday at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. — BPA
‘Difficult situation’
London: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have asked for ‘‘understanding’’ for the father of the American actress after the US celebrity news site TMZ reported yesterday he would not attend the couple’s wedding this weekend.
TMZ said Thomas Markle had decided not to attend the marriage of his daughter to the prince, because he did not wish to embarrass the royals after media reports he had staged paparazzi photographs.
‘‘This is a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding,’’ Kensington Palace said in a statement.
‘‘She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr Markle in this difficult situation.’’
A spokeswoman for the prince declined to comment directly on the report or to say whether it meant Markle’s father would not be at the wedding.
Markle had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
TMZ also said Markle had revealed he had suffered a heart attack six days ago but had checked himself out of hospital in order to attend the wedding. — Reuters
Cake preparation begins
London: An east London baker has posted a photo of six crates of lemons on her Instagram account indicating preparations have started on the royal wedding cake.
Preparations appear to be under way on the buttercreamcovered organic lemon elderflower wedding cake being prepared by an east London baker for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Pastry chef Claire Ptak posted the words ‘‘and so it begins’’ on her Instagram account yesterday alongside a photograph of six crates of lemons.
The couple have turned to Ptak, owner of the small Violet Bakery in east London, to make the cake, which will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers. — BPA