Heading to Windsor for the royal wedding? Here’s everything you need to know

Not long until the big day now [Photo: PA]
Not long until the big day now [Photo: PA]

It’s almost just two weeks until Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot on May 19.

Some 2,640 lucky members of the public – including 1,200 community leaders – have been invited to Windsor for the day. And thousands more well-wishers are expected to head to the historic city (which is roughly 25 miles from London) for the day.

If you’re planning to visit Windsor to soak up the atmosphere, word of extra-tight security and busy transport might make it all seem rather daunting.

Kensington Palace has our backs, however, and has passed on some practical information regarding the big day.

Here’s what you should know if you’re heading to the Royal Borough of Windsor for the royal wedding.

Yes, it will be busy

Predictably. But according to Kensington Palace, the local council has worked with partners including Thames Valley Police to ensure it all goes smoothly.

The Long Walk [Photo: PA]
The Long Walk [Photo: PA]

Book your travel now

Rail operators will be putting on additional trains and there will be park and walk (and park and float) services to help people get into town, too.

The main message is this: Plan your journey as carefully as possible so that you know exactly how you’re planning on to get from A to B and avoid any mishaps. Seriously.

A 6,000 space pre-booked car parking area at the Review Ground (just off the Long Walk, which leads up to the Castle) has also been made available.

Set off early

According to Sky News, Great Western Railway (GWR) is advising passengers to “travel early and travel light”.

And by early, they mean early. The train company has published a list of recommended train times for people to leave their local station by, and one suggestion is as early as 4:15am if you’re travelling from Preston.

If you’re leaving from Stafford, head at 5:25am, and from Solihull, 6:24am. You get the gist.

There will be food (but you’ll have to buy it yourself)

Though traditional wedding etiquette would stipulate otherwise, you’ll have to pay your own way in snacks and meals on May 19.

There will however, be a selection of food stalls and facilities on the Long Walk and in Alexandra Gardens.

Bunting is already up [Photo: PA]
Bunting is already up [Photo: PA]

There will be free confetti

If you’re catching the train, that is.

According to the BBC, 60,000 chocolates and 1,000 boxes of confetti will be handed out to train passengers when they alight at Windsor on the big day.

GWR said they’re giving away the treats to “keep the party atmosphere going” on 19 May.

There will be decent viewing spots

In the likely situation that you aren’t one of the 800 people attending the ceremony, there are big screens showing live footage of it, and procession following, on the Long Walk and in Alexandra Gardens.

Keep in mind that the ceremony itself is expected to take about an hour, and the carriage procession (which takes place almost directly after) 25 minutes.

To see Prince Harry and Markle in the flesh, there are also viewing areas along the whole procession route including: Castle Hill, High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road and the Long Walk.

There will be help to hand

A team of 140 Royal Borough Ambassadors have volunteered to help steward the event and assist visitors throughout the day.

Bridebooks.co.uk has estimated that some £30m will be spent on security in Windsor, too.

Yes, there will bunting

According to Kensington Palace, the town centre will be decorated with “bunting and ceremonial banners” along parts of the procession route – plus there will be live entertainment from local groups throughout the town centre.

Because a royal wedding wouldn’t really be a royal wedding without bunting, would it?


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