Windsor council is warning people to make their plans now if they want to join the party on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day.
From travel plans, to accommodation, to choosing your ideal viewing spot, the council for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has released what it’s calling its PRINCE plan to make sure visitors are prepared.
With around 100,000 people from around the world expected to arrive in the royal borough, it has been described as a once in a generation event.
Road closures will begin from 10pm on Friday 18 May and there will be limited parking for those travelling into the area. Extra trains are also being laid on.
:: Royal wedding: Everything you need to know
With large TV screens, food stalls and the chance to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the post-wedding carriage procession, the Long Walk running up to the castle is expected to be particularly busy.
The council has warned that “to ensure everyone’s safety” the crossing points over the Long Walk from the town centre are likely to close around 11am.
Throughout Windsor, businesses are making the most of the huge appetite to mark the big day, with merchandise flowing out of virtually every shop doorway.
At the Heidi bakery inside Daniels department store they are making miniature elderflower and lemon wedding cakes – the flavours chosen by Harry and Meghan.
The department store was opened 100 years ago and family member Heidi Rolfe-Daniel now runs the bakery. They’re ramping up production of their cakes after being invited to serve food on the Long Walk.
Ms Rolfe-Daniel told Sky News: “We’re making 2,000 doughnuts and 300 mall wedding cakes just for the day. We have extra coffee machines being pulled in, extra coffee beans being bought, and we are pre-ordering. The roads will be closed, so we have to be super-organised so everything runs smoothly and we don’t let any of our potential customers down on the day.”
Visit Britain has estimated the wedding could be worth more than £80m to the country’s slowing economy and provide a boost for local retailers, pubs and hotels, as tourists flood in.
While Thames Valley Police are used to planning for royal events, this will be one of the largest security operations they’ve ever dealt with as it will mean extra security checks for visitors to keep everyone safe.
In a video on social media Assistant Chief Constable David Hardcastle, from the force, said: “We all know that the threats we face today have changed and that we have a responsibility to protect the public attending this event. We are working closely with businesses, communities and with the local authority to ensure a safe secure and happy event.”
The Queen could not have looked happier this week at the Windsor horse show, and for the first time we also saw Prince Philip since he had his hip replaced. It is hoped he will be well enough to attend the wedding.
Now the couple have just a week to go until that big family occasion. A chance to show Britain at its best, and Windsor is ready for it.
:: Sky News will broadcast live in Windsor the week before the royal wedding with all the build up to the big day, with exclusive live coverage of the wedding in UHD in a special programme from 9am to 3pm on Sky News and Sky One on Saturday 19 May.
From – SkyNews
