Thousands of members of the public are to be invited to watch the wedding of
Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle from inside the walls of
Windsor Castle, as the couple invite charity workers, community champions and local school children to share their day.
Kensington Palace has announced that 2,640 people are to be welcomed into the grounds of the castle to get a close-up look at the newlyweds, and be the first people to congratulate them outside St George’s Chapel.
Invitees will be made up of local Windsor school children, representatives from Prince Harry’s key charities, and members of the public from all over the UK who have served their communities.
The Prince and Ms Markle will also invite 530 members of staff from the Royal Household and Crown Estate, and more than 600 people from the Windsor Castle community.
A spokesman for the couple said: “Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they want their wedding day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too.
“This wedding, like all weddings, will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters and values of the bride and groom.”
The wedding, on May 19, will see the newlyweds make a carriage ride through Windsor town centre to allowed them to greet as many people as possible.
The 2,640 lucky invitees will be allowed inside the walls of the castle to watch the Prince and Ms Markle arrive at St George’s Chapel: the first time the former American actress will be seen in her wedding dress.
Among them will be 100 pupils from two local schools, The Royal School and St George's School, both of which have a strong affiliation with the Windsor Castle community.
Another 200 people from a range of charities and organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, including those which Prince Harry serves as Patron.
They are likely to include the stars and staff from the Invictus Games, veterans, mental health charities, HIV awareness campaigns and seriously ill children.
They may choose to invite representatives from homelessness charities, after controversial suggestions from a local councillor that beggars could be cleared from the streets for the wedding.
The largest group will be made up of 1,200 members of the public “from every corner of the United Kingdom”, nominated by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices.
“The couple has asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities,” a spokesman said.