Love & 100,000 cheer for happy couple
SOME were just a few minutes from home, others had jetted thousands of miles.
But all who gathered in Windsor to catch the world’s first glimpse of the royal newlyweds agreed it was “totally, totally worth it”.
As 100,000 flagwaving, champagnepopping superfans lined the streets, some burst into tears of joy as Prince Harry and Meghan rolled past them on their way to Windsor Castle in their horse-drawn carriage.
And even the armed police fronting the heavy security presence did nothing to diminish the party atmosphere.
Cherokee Roberts, a 57-year-old grandmother from Essex, had slept on the street to be sure of her place in the throng. She said: “Meghan’s in our family now – and it’s the biggest in the world. She looked stunning.”
And Louise Aston, 53, from Gloucestershire, agreed: “We’ll embrace her and give her security. She’s just joined the Great British family. They are the perfect love match.”
Christine Tapson, 64, came 6,000 miles from South Africa’s Eastern Cape to be part of the celebrations.
Christine, who slept in a shop doorway to reserve her space opposite the castle’s Henry VIII gate, said: “I haven’t been such a groupie since The Beatles. It was totally, totally worth it.”
Embraced
Nicky and Tom Willock, both 43, had a shorter journey from their Windsor home to join the party. Tom said: “It’s been amazing in town all week. Every shop has embraced the wedding.”
Thirty women from Meghan’s sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, at Chicago’s Northwestern University, performed a wedding chant as the couple passed.
As Meghan spotted the girls she placed her hand over her heart.
Margaret Phipps, 25, explained: “This chant only happens on really special occasions for special women.
“She turned and recognised us, and her eyes lit up. It was magical to see her react to us like that.”
Roseline Morris, 35, from Basildon, Essex, said the ceremony brought back memories of her own nuptials last year. She said: “I walked myself down the aisle too, so I’m proud of her.”
As the couple passed the renamed Prince Harry pub, they beamed at onlookers who had camped overnight.
Accountant Brooke Tomassi, 22, of Oxford, wore a garland in her hair and a T-shirt begging: “Can I Marry Harry?” She admitted: “On an excitement scale of one to 10, I’m at 1,000.”
Alison Tinsley, from Epworth, North Lincs, revealed she sent the couple a cheeky gift. The 55-yearold relationship counsellor said: “I sent them my tips for a long, happy marriage.”
Martin Jawny, 38, from Poland, had also visited for William and Kate’s wedding – and queued for first glimpses of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. He said: “I’m on cloud nine.”