Royal wedding; Crowds in their thousands pour into Windsor

Royal wedding; Crowds in their thousands pour into Windsor

Prince Harry's wedding day has arrived as he prepares to marry his American bride Meghan Markle in a glittering ceremony, watched around the world by millions.

The Queen's grandson, who is sixth in line to the throne, will pledge to love, comfort, honour and protect the former actress as they become husband and wife in the historic surrounds of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Tens of thousands of royal fans have begun to descend on the Berkshire town to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, as police have effectively created a ring of steel around the castle in a massive security operation.

Passengers on the first train out of London Waterloo included four women who work as cabin crew for a Canadian airline. They joked they had won the 'golden ticket' by being in London on layover on Harry and Meghan's big day.

'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are sending our love from Canada,' Cara Bonhage said. 'It's going to be really exciting.'

Ms Bonhage and friends, Deb Penman, Marlene Diggens and Nancy Botelho said they plan to stand at the end of the parade route to catch a glimpse of the couple as they pass.'We want to be part of history,' Ms Botelho added.

Irene Bowdry, a lawyer from California, was on the 5.50am train from Waterloo to Windsor with four friends from the US.

She said: 'My mum actually lives around the corner from Meghan's mum in Los Angeles. We booked as soon as it was announced. An American in the royal family, isn't that so exciting?'

Also on board was German surgeon Ralph Dubitscher, who said he came because 'it's the last chance to get a royal wedding for, what, 30 years?'. 

 Some superfans have been camped out for days to secure their spots to see Harry and Meghan's carriage pass.

John Loughrey, 63, from Streatham in London, has been in position for four days at what he's dubbed 'crazy corner' - the junction of High Street and Castle Hill.

'This is a very special day today for Prince Harry and Meghan, going into St George's Chapel and Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle,' he said.

'We want the carriage to slow down when it comes around this bend to see the wedding dress and wedding ring and Prince Harry and Meghan smiling at the world. We are going to have one big party in Windsor and around the world.' 

Seasoned royal-watcher Terry Hutt, 83, spoke of the romance of the occasion. 'What makes this a special wedding is that they have gone out and met each other and fallen in love, and that's quite natural,' he said.

'They broke all the rules and they are actually bringing the royal family forward. I think we're all going to be happy with the result. If his mother was alive, she would be too. She left something of herself behind and it was the two lads.'

Slough station has made spectators feel welcome with a sign celebrating the nuptials. The dot matrix board said: 'All aboard the royal wedding special to Harry & Meghan Central.'

At 6.30am, a golf buggy carrying TV host Phillip Schofield made its way down the Long Walk, to cheering from the crowd. The ITV anchor for the royal wedding coverage gave them a wave and said: 'Nice to see you.'

Jo Pratt and Laura Hamlin travelled from Horsham, Sussex, arriving at the Long Walk at 4am. 'It was freezing cold but we are very excited. We are hoping that they'll become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That would be fantastic,' said Ms Pratt.

Christine Clancy from Virginia in the US was on one of the first trains into Windsor and was sporting thumbnails and shoes decorated with the Union flag.

Ms Clancy said: 'I've always been a royal fan - not an extreme one - I just love British history and love the royals. I just wanted to be part of a part of the wedding celebration.

'It would have been nice if Meghan's dad was walking her down the aisle, everyone was expecting her mum to do it, but Charles - he'll be able to do it with his eyes closed.'

Sheila Tinning and her husband Paul are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today. Last night, the Cumbrian couple had the fortune of meeting Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge on the pre-wedding walkabout.

'I shook William and Harry's hand last night. It was fantastic,' said Mrs Tinning. 'There were two cameras behind me and lots of police and we realised something was happening. We couldn't believe it.