Royal Wedding: Bank Holiday?

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not a bank holiday in the UK. The couple were said to be keen for a more private wedding and planned to shun the option of getting married in Westminster Abbey. Instead, they chose to get married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, which accommodated fewer guests and offered a sense of privacy. The date of the wedding also fell on a Saturday, breaking from the tradition of holding royal weddings on weekdays. While there was no additional day off for the public, licensing hours for pubs were extended to 1am during the celebration period.

The wedding date and venue

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The date was chosen to avoid clashing with other events that month, such as Princess Charlotte's third birthday on May 2, local elections on May 3, and the Duchess of Cambridge's due date.

The venue, St George's Chapel, was where Harry was christened as a baby and is a more low-key venue than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's brother, William, married Kate Middleton. St George's Chapel can accommodate 800 guests, whereas Westminster Abbey seats 2,000.

The couple's decision to opt for a more private wedding and not marry at Westminster Abbey meant that, unlike previous royal weddings, the country did not get a bank holiday to celebrate.

No bank holiday

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be a bank holiday. This was confirmed by Downing Street, with a spokesperson for Number 10 saying:

> There are no plans for a Bank Holiday. There isn't a precedent in this area.

The spokesperson also pointed out that there were no bank holidays for the weddings of Prince Charles's younger brothers, Prince Andrew in 1986 and Prince Edward in 1999.

However, a bank holiday was declared for the wedding of Princess Anne in 1973. Princess Anne, like Prince Harry, was not a direct heir to the throne but was behind her brothers in the line for succession.

A Palace insider also revealed that the couple were keen for a more private wedding, and planned to shun the option of getting married in Westminster Abbey. Prince Harry was said to not want "pomp and pageantry", with a source stating:

> I can see him wanting to get married at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. It would stop it from turning into a total media circus and give the day a sense of privacy that Harry so badly craves.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday, May 19, breaking from the tradition of royal weddings usually being held on weekdays.

Street parties

If you're thinking of organising a street party, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Timing: It's a good idea to start planning 2-3 months in advance. This will give you enough time to chat with your neighbours, plan meetings, and apply for any necessary permissions or road closures.
• Location: Street parties are typically organised for residents of 1 or 2 small streets. If you want to invite a wider public, you may need to make additional arrangements.
• Permissions: Contact your local council to let them know about your plans. You will likely need to provide information such as the date, time, location, whether you want to close a road, and a list of any affected properties or businesses.
• Involve everyone: Share the responsibilities and involve everyone in the planning process. This will ensure that the street party is a collaborative effort and that everyone's interests are considered.
• Activities: Plan a range of activities that cater to different ages and tastes. This could include games, music, and a street quiz. Just make sure the music isn't too loud or late to avoid disturbing your neighbours who aren't attending.
• Food and drinks: Encourage attendees to bring food, drinks, and games to share. You can also hold a raffle to raise funds for any expenses.
• Decorations: Bunting is a traditional decoration for street parties. You can borrow, buy, or even make your own bunting to add a festive touch to the event.
• Clean-up: Don't forget to clean up after the party and reopen the road if it was closed. This is an important part of being a good neighbour and ensuring future events are well-received.

The engagement announcement

The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was announced on Monday, 27 November 2017, after a 16-month romance. The couple released a statement via Clarence House, and hundreds of thousands of Britons took to social media to send their congratulations.

The wedding was set to take place in the spring, but no further details were initially given. It was thought unlikely to be in April, as Harry's brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, were expecting a baby around that time.

The public's hopes for a day off were soon dashed, however, as Downing Street confirmed there would be "no plans for a Bank Holiday". A spokesperson said: "There isn't a precedent in this area". It was also pointed out that there were no bank holidays for the weddings of Prince Andrew in 1986 or Prince Edward in 1999, although there had been one for Princess Anne in 1973.

The guest list

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The guest list included close relatives of the groom and bride, members of reigning and non-reigning royal families, friends of the couple, and charity organisations.

Relatives of the Groom

Descendants of the Prince's great-grandfather, King George VI, were in attendance, including:

• The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (the groom's paternal grandparents)
• The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (the groom's father and stepmother)
• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (the groom's brother and sister-in-law)
• Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (the groom's nephew and niece)

Other relatives included the groom's paternal aunt and uncle, first cousins, first cousins once removed, and second cousins, along with their families.

Relatives of the Bride

The bride's mother, Doria Ragland, was also in attendance.

Members of Reigning Royal Families

Prince Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho, the brother of the King of Lesotho, were in attendance. Both the groom and Prince Seeiso are founders of the Lesotho-based AIDS charity, Sentebale.

Members of Non-Reigning Royal Families

The wedding guest list included the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Oettingen-Spielberg, Sir John Major and his wife, Dame Norma Major, and Sir Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill.

Friends of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The couple's friends in attendance included Markus Anderson, a long-time friend of the bride; Cressida Bonas, the granddaughter of Edward Curzon and a friend and ex-girlfriend of the groom; Chelsy Davy, a friend and ex-girlfriend of the groom; Heather Dorak, a college friend of the bride and pilates instructor; Misan Harriman, a photographer and long-time friend of the bride; Ben Murray, a cousin of the groom; Genevieve Hillis, a long-time friend of the bride; Tom Inskip, a friend of the groom from Eton College; Lindsay Jordan, a long-time friend of the bride; and many others.

Charities and Members of the Public

In addition to friends, family, and relations, the couple invited 2,000 members of the public to the grounds of the Windsor wedding. This included 500 members of the Royal Household, 1,200 inspiring citizens and young people chosen by Lord Lieutenants, 200 guests from charity organisations, and 100 local school children.

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