WINDSOR BURSTING WITH LIFE FOR GALA ROYAL WEDDING
FANS FROM AUS TO US IN ATTENDANCE
>> WINDSOR: There was silence along the Long Walk in Windsor as thousands of well-wishers listened to Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle say their vows — then the crowd erupted into cheers and popped prosecco corks as they were declared husband and wife.
Crowds of colourful royal enthusiasts from around the world flocked to the historic British town yesterday, many of them gathering on the tree-lined avenue leading up to the castle. The revellers streamed into the town to capture their own little piece of the extravaganza. As the celebrations got under way, Queen Elizabeth II honoured her red-headed, 33-year-old grandson with a new title — the Duke of Sussex. That means that Markle will become the Duchess of Sussex.
Harry’s status as a senior British royal and Markle’s celebrity after starring on the US TV series Suits for seven years has turned the wedding at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle into a global event. The wedding pomp and ceremony — complete with Anglican prayers and tradition, classical music and a gospel choir — as well as a horse-drawn carriage ride through Windsor, was beamed live to tens of millions of TV viewers throughout the world.
The weather was balmy and clear, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light. Stars jetted in from Hollywood. Royal fans had been camping outside the castle for days. British police stepped up security, with sniffer dogs, barricades and patrols all over town. “Windsor is absolutely bursting with excitement,’’ said royal historian Hugo Vickers. “There are cardboard cutouts of Meghan and Harry in every shop window, virtually. There’s bunting all over the place. I’ve never seen so many people in the streets of Windsor.’’
It is a time of transition for the British monarchy, one that seems filled with hope as William and Harry — the two sons of the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles — step ever more confidently into the limelight. The brothers even found the time amid the wedding hoopla to stroll outside the castle on Friday night to thank fans for coming. And it seems to be a time of joy for 92-year-old Queen Elizabeth II and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, who attended the ceremony despite his recent hip replacement surgery.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds rode a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Windsor, flanked by a British military procession with many officers on horseback. Then it was off to the first of two gala receptions. The first hosted in the afternoon by the queen — with finger food, wine and champagne. The second, smaller reception was being thrown by Charles. A three-hour break in between allowed for a rest and change of outfits for the lucky 200 invited to the evening soiree.
The chapel service reflected Markle’s American roots. The Most Rev Michael Bruce Curry, African-American leader of the Episcopal Church, delivered a sermon, and the musical selections included versions of Ben E King’s Stand By Me and Etta James’ Amen/This Little Light of Mine.
After seeing the couple up close, Rev Curry on Friday said they were obviously in love.
“When I see them, something in my heart leaps,’’ he said. “That’s why 2 billion people are watching them.’’
>> WINDSOR: Hardy campers and early risers turned the town of Windsor into a sea of red, white and blue yesterday, bringing the carnival spirit ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
“It’s like a fairytale” gasped one tourist as the first train from London pulled into the station — rebranded as “Harry and Meghan Central” for the day — in the shadow of Windsor Castle, where the wedding will take place.
Throngs stepping off the train under cloudless skies were met by armed police, sniffer dogs and airport-style security scanners before hitting a wall of thousands of royal fanatics lining the procession route, many of whom had braved the cold and camped overnight.
“It was so cold last night, I’ve not had one wink of sleep, but nobody gave up,” pensioner Maureen Hayward, who arrived on Friday afternoon to stake out a spot said.
“It was good, it was cold, but we all had a few drinks, tried to have a sleep but couldn’t,” said Pippa Natschall, who had travelled from Australia for the event.
“There’s only one toilet in the village, which made it worse as there was a big line,” added the 46-year-old, who had marked out her camp with Union Jack flags.
Red, white and blue bunting festooned the quaint streets, with people dressing up for the special day.
Two Canadians wore maple leaf onesies and one man dressed as Mr Bean entertained the crowds while others were dressed from head to foot in the British and American flags.
The party started early for bleary-eyed fans on the first train from London’s Paddington station as crowds packed onto the platform, although in true British tradition, the trip was delayed on departure.
“I woke up at four in the morning when I was 12 to watch Princess Diana get married and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Heather Miller, 49, from Colorado, said as she waited for the train, wearing a Harry and Meghan t-shirt and a fascinator.
She was accompanied by friend Karen Wallace, 53, originally from Chicago, and her reluctant husband.
“After the week she’s had she needs some support,” she added.
“I think her half-siblings are so jealous — they want their 15 minutes of fame.”
The wedding plans were thrown into disarray on Thursday when it was confirmed that Markle’s father Thomas would not attend due to health problems after becoming caught up in a paparazzi fiasco.
Her half-siblings also caused a stir with unflattering comments about the bride-to-be.
The crowd in Windsor was expected to swell to around 100,000, with at least 5,000 journalists, according to Thames Valley Police.
Some of the most fanatical supporters camped for days, watching as the security forces moved in to turn the picturesque town into an impregnable fortress.
Huge barriers were hauled into place to prevent a vehicle attack and many roads were closed in the town of 30,000 inhabitants, 30 kms west of London. Snipers also took positions on roofs. Early arrivers got a taste of the drama on Thursday, when Meghan and Harry arrived for a dress rehearsal, with the couple making a brief appearance, surprising crowds milling around the rehearsal route by pulling in to Windsor Castle via the famous Long Walk promenade.
Retired nurse Cynthia Osborne travelled from her home in Cardiff, Wales to catch the train, wearing an array of Union Jack branded clothing and a Welsh dragon hat.
As she waited for the train, an American visitor asked her for a photograph.
“I think they’re a little bit envious of us, not just the Americans but the Europeans too,” she said.
“I think this brings people together.” The circus arriving in town was also good news for local retailers, many of whom had set up tables outside their shops, covered with Union Jack towels and flags, and Harry and Meghan t-shirts.
“It’s going to be a lovely day, but I don’t think I’ll be able to retire” on the profits from today, joked shopkeeper Irshan, who had joined in on the party spirit with a Union Jack turban.