AISLE BE THERE
Royal Wedding fans bed down outside Windsor Castle to catch first glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their big day
HUNDREDS of jubilant Royal Wedding fans camped outside Windsor Castle last night as they vied for front-row seats to today's festivities.
Well-wishers from across the globe were setting down sleeping bags as early as Friday morning, desperate for a close-up glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding procession.
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The pair are due to finally tie the knot at noon today in the historic St George's chapel - just a stone's throw from Windsor Castle.
The wedding will climax with Harry and Meghan riding together in a two-mile, 25-minute open-top carriage procession through the streets of Windsor.
Last night Harry and and best man Prince William greeted jubilant crowds - many covered in Union Jacks and bunting - after waving off Meghan Markle and her mum Doria.
Prince Harry and William's walkabout echoed the pair's impromptu public appearance on The Mall in central London in 2011.
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Beaming Harry shook hands with royal fans in Windsor this afternoon and said he was feeling 'great' just a day before his wedding.
He was asked TWICE if he was nervous, but the Prince replied: "Great, thanks. How are you feeling?"
What we know so far…
- Meghan Markle will be walked down the aisle by Prince Charles, Kensington Palace announced yesterday
- Meghan confirmed her dad Thomas Markle would not be at her wedding as he continues to recover from major heart surgery
- Thomas Markle had earlier said he wouldn’t be attending for fear of embarrassing Meghan over staged paparazzi photos
- The 73-year-old suffered a heart scare last week which he has reportedly blamed on an open letter by his son Tom Jr – who has since said he’s “mortified”
- Samantha Markle, Meghan’s half-sister, slammed claims Kensington Palace is supporting their dad in hospital before she was injured in a car crash on Wednesday
- Police have since said they could not find any evidence of the crash
- Doria met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a Royal Wedding rehearsal and sat down for afternoon tea with the Queen yesterday
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The prince also took the time to chat to royal fan Meghan O'Shea, aged seven, from Holyport, near Maidenhead, and noted the 'H' in her name. He said: "There's not very many Meghans with an 'H' around."
Little Meghan was thrilled and said: "I think she's very nice."
Where to watch the Royal Wedding in style
EVENTS are being held across the country to mark the wedding.
In Bristol there will be a Right Royal Party all day at Cabot Circus shopping centre.
Among 30 parties in Notts will be one in Brinsley, where a mock royal wedding will be held in the village church.
Anyone called Meghan or Harry, or in a wedding dress, gets in free at Dreamland amusement park in Margate, Kent, and there will be ten street parties in Stockport.
In London, there will be big screens at the Skylight rooftop bar in Tobacco Dock in Wapping, Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, and Southbank Centre.
Queen’s Road in Hertford will hold one of 51 street parties across the county.
The Cathedral in Winchester will host a live screening of the wedding service.
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Meghan's mum Doria sat next to her daughter on the way to the hotel after earlier meeting the Queen for afternoon tea.
Yesterday the bride-to-be seemed calm and relaxed, seen just hours after it was confirmed that she had asked Prince Charles to walk her down the aisle.
Doria had initially been tipped for the role after Meghan's dad Thomas Markle Sr pulled out due to a heart operation.
Prince Charles to walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at Royal Wedding after dad Thomas pulls out
The 61-year-old mum flew into London to meet the Royal Family this week, and yesterday met to meet the Queen for tea.
A Kensington Palace statement said: "Ms Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day.
"The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the Royal Family in this way."
How Royal Wedding will trigger power surge
DEMAND for electricity will rocket at key points during the wedding as millions of Brits watch on TV.
The National Grid estimates top surges of 1,500 megawatts — enough to boil 500,000 kettles — after the ceremony and as the carriage enters Windsor Castle.
The so-called TV pick-ups often follow main points in live events as fans pop out to make a cuppa.
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Photographs show the Royal Standard flying over Windsor Castle this afternoon - showing the monarch is already there in preparation for today's ceremony.
Doria will stay with her daughter at Cliveden House tonight ahead of the wedding, while Prince Harry will stay with his best man Prince William at Coworth Park.
Anticipation is reaching fever pitch about Meghan's dress, with the Queen expected to see the gown before the big day.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Windsor ahead of the Royal Wedding
WATCH LIVE: Huge crowds in Windsor as the town prepares for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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The royal family has started to make their way to Windsor, with it yesterday confirming the Duke of Edinburgh would be attending the wedding of the year, after fears he may have to miss it due to a string of health issues.
It's good news for Meghan and Harry, who have endured a turbulent week in the lead up to the big day.
Meghan had yesterday released an emotionally-charged statement to confirm her 73-year-old dad Thomas Markle, who lives in Mexico, would not be able to attend her big day.
In the statement, the bride-to-be said: "Sadly my father will not be attending our wedding.
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"I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.
"I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday."
It was an astonishing statement that seemed to be directed towards her family, with her half-sister Samantha in particular claiming that she had needed to wire cash to their father to help him survive.
Meghan's estranged family members - including her nephews and sister-in-law - also landed in the UK despite not being invited to the wedding - have regularly trashed the 36-year-old bride.
Royal Family gives you the chance to experience wedding procession like Meghan Markle Markle and Prince Harry with carriage video
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DELICIOUS DELIGHTS: Recipe for Royal Wedding Cake revealed
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's lemon and elderflower wedding cake will be displayed in a special installation, their baker has revealed.
Claire Ptak, who is making the culinary centrepiece for the couple's big day, revealed that it would be a "non-traditional" layout.
But while the final look is top secret until today, the ingredients of the delicious dessert have been released.
The cake includes:
- 200 Amalfi lemons
- 500 organic eggs from Suffolk
- 20kgs of butter
- 20kgs of flour
- 20kgs of sugar
- 10 bottles of Sandringham Elderflower Cordial
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The Royal Wedding plans were thrown into chaos when 73-year-old Thomas Sr announced he wouldn't be attending - after being left embarrassed over staged paparazzi photos.
While Meghan reportedly begged her father to attend - saying she still loved him - her reclusive dad eventually pulled out.
This means that mum Doria will be the only direct relative of Meghan's at the wedding.
Pals flew into the UK to support Meghan, with best friend Jessica Mulroney arriving this week.
The Canadian socialite's children are among those who will be bridesmaids and page boys during the ceremony.
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Prince George and his little sister Princess Charlotte will also be part of the ceremony at their uncle's wedding.
Police have been seen patrolling the area, with the heavy presence steadily increased throughout Windsor during the buildup.
Extra security measures may include snipers, undercover police and military tech, such as a counter-drone system.
Royal Wedding has ‘£30m’ ring of steel security operation as snipers descend on Windsor ahead of big day
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