Royal Wedding fever in Windsor: Fans from around world camp out to catch glimpse of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Royal wedding fever was sweeping Windsor today as the hours ticked down to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day.

Large numbers of royal fans spent last night camped out on the streets of the Berkshire town to secure the best spots to catch a glimpse of the couple tomorrow.

Thames Valley Police are enforcing a no-tent rule for security reasons, forcing people to sleep in the open air or on fold-up chairs.

Canadian Janice Cox, 69, and her daughter Angie Hart, 47, slept in camping chairs “covered in blankets” at their prime position next to the statue of Queen Victoria.

Mrs Hart, a housewife from Ontario, said: “It was freezing last night — and we’re Canadian. We arrived yesterday and came straight here from the flight. We wanted to come to see the amazing event — only the British can put on something like this. We are really happy for Harry, and Meghan has spent a lot of time in Canada so we feel like she is part-Canadian too.”

Her mother said: “We went to William’s wedding too and that was fantastic. We were in prime spot to see that famous kiss.”

Best friends Nancy Allman and Ginger Currie, both from California, arrived on a flight from America yesterday to support their “home girl” Meghan.

They were wearing blue and red fascinators and holding “Meghan and Harry ’18” flags.

“We are here to support her, she is such a sweetheart,” Ms Currie said. “She’s real, she’s authentic.”

A royal enthusiast in Windsor on Friday
Jeremy Selwyn

Sisters Jean Hammond and Moira Moss were passing the time by dressing up in Meghan and Harry masks, after arriving yesterday from Staffordshire. Mrs Hammond, 62, a prison case officer, said: “I am still warming up. It was particularly cold last night.”

Her sister, 64, added: “We are just big fans of the royals. And I went to Diana’s funeral and watching Harry then was heartbreaking. It is so nice to see him so happy now.”The town of Windsor has embraced the wedding, with almost all the shops featuring special displays.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb NBC today show presenters
Jeremy Selwyn

Along the procession route, 4,000 metres of bunting has been unveiled, with local performers organised to entertain people in The Long Walk and in Windsor High Street tomorrow.

This morning, the brass band from Windsor Boys’ School played The Wedding March, while Windsor Town Crier Chris Brown was out and about, announcing “a very warm welcome to all visitors”.

Royal Wedding fans sleeping on the streets of Windsor - In pictures

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Hosts of the American NBC Today show Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb were also in the town, taking selfies with fans. Kotb told the Standard: “We love it here. It is literally heaven.” While those camping out tonight are in for another chilly night, Harry and Meghan are set to be blessed with sunshine and warm temperatures tomorrow.

The weather is forecast to be “ideal” for when they emerge from St George’s Chapel, before a ride around the town in an open-top landau carriage at about 1pm.

Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle, it was confirmed on Friday morning
Getty Images

Met Office meteorologist Martin Bowles said: “We are expecting wall-to-wall sunshine all day. The beginning of the day will start off cold, around 6C (43F) or 7C (45F), but will rapidly warm up.

“Temperatures will peak around 3pm at 21C (70F) and there will be light winds — all ideal for a wedding.” It is expected to be about 19C (66F) by the time the couple set off in the carriage procession, he said. After lunch hosted by the Queen at St George’s Hall at the castle, the wedding party will then move on to the evening reception at nearby Frogmore House hosted by the Prince of Wales.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding Preparations

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