Updated
Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle are inviting 2,640 people from all walks of life to help them celebrate their big day.
- 2,640 people to watch from Windsor Castle grounds, in addition to 800 chapel guests
- About 1,200 will be members of the public
- About 200 will be charity representatives, schoolchildren, residents of Windsor, members of the Royal Household
The guests, who will come from across the United Kingdom, will be allowed into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the bride and groom arrive.
They will also be in a prime location to see the carriage procession depart.
The number does not include those invited to the ceremony at the castle's St George's Chapel, which seats about 800.
"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," the Kensington Palace said in a statement.
"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."
Of the 2,640 invitees, 1,200 will be members of the public who will be nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices.
The remaining invitations will go to 200 representatives of charities, 100 pupils from two local schools, 610 Windsor Castle community members and residents, and 530 members of the royal households.
Prince Harry and Ms Markle, an American actress, will marry at noon on May 19 in St George's Chapel, the 15th century church on the grounds of Windsor Castle that has long been the backdrop of choice for royal occasions.
The couple have said they were "hugely grateful" for the many good wishes they had received and that they wanted to have the public join in to enjoy their special day.
AP
Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, human-interest, england, united-kingdom
First posted