On 19 May, the eyes of the world will be on the Berkshire town of Windsor as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Locals are reportedly cashing in on the windfall of tourists, royal fans, and world media set to descend on the town.
Since the announcement of their engagement last November, royal fans and the media have speculated about the wedding guest list, wedding party, Meghan’s dress and other details of the day. So far, all such information has been kept secret.
Like the royals, Windsor homeowners and businesses have started their own preparations for the big weekend. Mainly renting out their homes and establishments for eager folks intending on being present. The owner of the Horse and Groom pub is apparently renting out two rooms above his bar opposite the castle for £15,000-a-night. Some rooms are going for more than that amount. One homeowner is considering leaving her Park Street home for the weekend as she was offered £10,000
Sam Glancy, landlady of The Carpenters Arms, told the Star she has rented out one floor to the US broadcaster NBC News when they send journalists to cover the ceremony. She’s said to have made a deal that is rumoured to have cost £30,000.
Another issue brought to light in Windsor is the problem with homelessness after a councillor wanted to send them off to clean up the appearance of the town. Russell Brand has offered to gift the couple by housing the city’s homeless for the duration of the wedding. Nearly 20,000 signatures have been collected for the commedian’s plea which he launched after Simon Dudley, the Tory leader of the council for Windsor asked police to do something with the city’s rough sleepers.
“The most vulnerable are being exposed to persecution,” said Brand, who has worked with a homeless charity in the nearby town of Slough. He’s working to get that city’s council to purchase a building to house the homeless.
” Eyes of the world” ??? I think not..