Royal fans jammed into trains to Windsor as thousands of revellers streamed into the town to capture their own little piece of the extravaganza that is expected for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle.
Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the US TV series Suits for seven years has turned the wedding at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle into a global event.
Among those crammed on the early train to Windsor was Irene Bowdry, a lawyer from California who booked her trip to England as soon as the wedding date was announced.
"An American in the royal family, isn't that so exciting?" she said.
The weather is balmy and clear, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light.
"Windsor is absolutely bursting with excitement," said royal historian Hugo Vickers.
"There are cardboard cutouts of Meghan and Harry in every shop window, virtually.
"There's bunting all over the place. I've never seen so many people in the streets of Windsor."
After the ceremony, the newlyweds will ride a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Windsor, flanked by a British military procession with many officers on horseback.
Australian Associated Press
