The marriage of Price Harry and Ms Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday 19th May 2018 at Windsor Castle.
People from across the globe will be gathering to watch the Royal Wedding with many planning street parties and inviting friends and family to join the celebrations. It is believed more than 10,000 people will make their way to the historic town to catch a glimpse of the action.
If you are planning to visit Windsor over the weekend, make sure you are prepared. Roads are likely to be closed or blocked by spectators and public transport will be incredibly crowded.
Those looking to travel to Windsor by rail should check the timetable as trains will only be running at specific times, with some departing as early as 4am. It is worth noting, extra security measures have been put in place at stations and if the crowds become too large services into Windsor may not go ahead.
If you are planning to travel to Windsor by car, parking in the Review Ground at Windsor Great Park must be pre-booked and is operating on a first come first served basis. The car park is a 15-20 minutes’ walk to the designated spectator areas and provisions will be put in place for Blue Badge holders. Road closures will be in place between Thursday 17th May and Saturday 19th May so be sure to pre-plan your journey and expect delays.
Accommodation in and around Windsor is selling fast, with many facilities now fully booked. If you have booked accommodation and are staying in Windsor you should buy a suitable UK travel insurance policy. If you are not able to make the trip, you will be able to claim for the cost of accommodation and not be left out of pocket. However beware, most travel insurance policies will only cover you if you have booked for a minimum of two nights or longer on a UK holiday, but you can find a few that have no minimum requirement, so keep this in mind. More information on staycations and travel insurance for UK trips can be found here.
So, what’s the plan for the Royal Wedding?
- Stewards and signs will be dotted around the town to assist people with finding their way around.
- The Royal Wedding will take place at St George’s Chapel and members of the public who have been invited to watch from the castle ground are expected to arrive from 9am. Wedding guests will also arrive between 9.30am and 11.00am to ensure they are seated well in advance of the arrival of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Ms Markle.
- Prince Harry and his best man, the Duke of Cambridge, will arrive at the west steps of the chapel at 11:45pm with HRH Queen Elizabeth II arriving at 11:55am. It is tradition that the Queen is always the last to arrive, except in the event of a Royal Wedding where she will arrive five minutes before the bridal party.
- Ms Markle will arrive at the chapel’s west steps at 11:59am with the service commencing at 12:00pm. All eyes will be on the bride’s dress which has been causing speculation since the royal engagement was announce.
- The service will end at 1:00pm and the newlyweds will embark on a tour of Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage where members of the public will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the happy couple and join in the celebrations.
- Following the royal procession, the Royal Borough of Windsor has planned ample entertainment for visitors including performances by local street performers.
What else to do in Windsor?
- Those who are staying in Windsor for a few days following the Royal Wedding should use this opportunity to explore the gems this historic town has to offer.
- Bursting with English charm the cobbled streets, riverside setting and historic architecture are to be enjoyed by everyone who visits.
- Windsor Castle has been with royalty for almost 1,000 years and is oldest and largest castle in the world. On occasion the Royal Family take up residence in the castle and it is closed to the public. In order to prepare for the Royal Wedding, the castle will be closed from Thursday 17th May to Saturday 19th May but will open again from Sunday 20th May. Tickets can be purchased online.
- The Great Park is a popular destination located on the outskirts of the town. The parkland includes a Deer Park and is a great spot for those interested in leisurely walks, bike rides and horse riding.
- Speaking of horse riding, in the shadow of Windsor Castle is the Royal Windsor Racecourse and race days take place between April to October.
- If you fancy something a little different there are plenty of river cruises to choose from, this experience will give you classic views of the castle and surrounding villages.
- Taking the whole family, how about a trip to LEGOLAND. Dubbed the UK’s favourite kid’s theme park, there is plenty to keep them entertained. Tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on the day.
Can’t make it to Windsor? Why not take a trip to Violets (Hackney, London), home to the Royal Wedding Cake Maker, and sample some of the delicious treats?